The Celebrity Traitors icon teams up with film legend for romantic Waitrose Christmas 2025 advert
Waitrose has recruited a star of The Celebrity Traitors for its Christmas advert.
Waitrose has released its Christmas advert – and it's a fun play on the festive rom-coms we return to every year. Keira Knightley is the female lead alongside an unlikely romantic interest: Joe Wilkinson, who is reprising his role as Phil from the 2024 whodunnit Christmas advert. In the adorable advert, titled The Perfect Gift, the couple have a meet-cute at a Waitrose cheese counter where they discover they share a love of the Sussex Charmer Mature Cheddar – something Phil turns out to be himself... We get to watch their adorable romance develop, not without hiccups admittedly, before Phil recreates Keira's Nan's pie recipe in the ultimate act of love. The small movie highlights centres around the idea of "saying it with food" because, if you can't say it at Christmas, when can you? Speaking of her role in the advert, Knightley says: "I love food, and so when I received this script where I get to fall head over heels in love over a shared love of cheese, I couldn't turn it down! I adored working on this silly, fun and delicious film with Joe and I hope those watching it fall in love too." View oEmbed on the source website If the box above is not showing, you may need to change your privacy settings. In the Radio Times site footer, click ‘Manage Privacy Settings’. Under ‘Site Vendors’, consent to ‘YouTube’, then press Save & Exit. Joe Wilkinson adds: "It was great to be back with Waitrose for their 2025 Christmas campaign. This year, Phil got to enjoy both the love and the food he truly deserved. As you can imagine, it was tough having to eat the delicious Waitrose food and falling in love with Keira, but I just got on with it, like the trooper I am!" The advert is soundtracked by James, and features their hit song She's a Star. Nathan Ansell, Waitrose Chief Customer Officer, says: “When it comes to Christmas, delicious food and drink play a central role in bringing people together and helping us show affection. This year, we welcomed British heroine, Keira Knightley, and Waitrose’ favourite, Joe Wilkinson, to help us show Food Lovers how to ‘say it with food’. “Our four minute Christmas film – an industry first – pays homage to the seasonal romantic comedy tradition, celebrates the exciting and elevated Waitrose festive food offering, and adds a little more of that warm, fuzzy feeling to the holiday season. It’s the perfect gift from Waitrose, to you.” Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.​
Disney reveals new Christmas advert from acclaimed Marvel blockbuster director – first look
We at RadioTimes.com can exclusively reveal a first look at Disney's Christmas advert for 2025. The title is "A Disney Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever," and it is directed than none other than Academy Award winner Taika Waititi. The poster (below) shows a gorgeous and warm family home which has been decked out for Christmas in a snowy setting. A young girl can be seen in her pyjamas giving an enormous cuddle to a rather unique-looking creature. It's not quite clear what the creature is made from, but appears to be some kind of doodle brought to life. Either way, the young girl is ecstatic to see it! The full short will be launching soon, so keep your eyes peeled for what it might mean! Last year's Disney's Holiday Short was "The Boy & The Octopus", a sweet tale of wonder and friendship which played on the enduring connections that generations of adults and families across the world have with Disney. That one was also directed by Waititi, who's returning this year once more. Many retailers and companies have already released their Christmas adverts – and there's some cracking offerings already. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.​
Best Christmas adverts 2025: from Wallace & Gromit's cheeky ad with Barbour to John Lewis's tear-jerker
The nights are drawing in and Christmas is certainly approaching – in fact, all that's left now is for shops to deliver their highly-anticipated Christmas retailers. With the festive period being extremely lucrative for retailers as millions flock to the shops for the perfect gifts for their loved ones, it's important to make sure their shop is front of mind for Christmas prepping. Wallace & Gromit have made a welcomed return to screens in Barbour's festive offering and the Grinch even pops up in Asda's ad. One that always gets talked about, regardless of tone, is the John Lewis Christmas advert, which has released uncharacteristically early. Needless to say, it's beginning to look at lot like Christmas. Keep this page bookmarked as we update it with the best Christmas adverts for 2025 from across the UK as they land. Wallace & Gromit x Barbour View oEmbed on the source website Barbour has teamed up with Aardman once again for a fun and festive advert featuring the beloved Wallace & Gromit. In the cheeky advert, viewers are transported to Wallace & Gromit's house where the beloved pup can be seen wrapping a present as best he can for his best pal. Wallace comes in with his new invention, the "Gift-o-matic", which can give gifts, wrap presents, pull a cracker and even unwrap a present for you, fully taking the stress out of Christmas. But in true Wallace & Gromit style, the gizmo doesn't quite work too well and is a little more powerful than Wallace hoped for - with hilarious consequences. Barbour's Group Deputy Managing Director, Paul Wilkinson shared: "We are excited to be continuing our partnership with Aardman for another year; a brand, like Barbour, that is renowned for its heritage, nostalgia, craftsmanship and meticulous detail. This year's film bring a light-hearted charm to Barbour's Original and Authentic Tartans including the Classic Tartan Scarf and the exclusive, reimagined Winterberry Tartan wrapping Wallace's ingenious Gift-o-matic. Whilst rooted in our British heritage, the story's themes of generosity and togetherness resonate far beyond the UK, reflecting the universal spirit of the season." John Lewis: Where Love Lives View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis was among the first retailers to put out their Christmas advert, and this year's offering focuses on a father-son relationship. The son buys a present for his dad and, while he's nervous to give him it, it turns out to be the perfect gift – as the vinyl record transports him back in time to his glory days clubbing. It turns out that you don't need to have the words, so long as you can provide a thoughtful gift! The advert is soundtracked by two versions of Where Love Lives – by the original Alison Limerick and Labrinth. Morrisons: A Year in the Making View oEmbed on the source website Morrisons are shedding light on the manufacturing process in their Christmas advert, showcasing that it takes a lot of time to get food on the table – in fact, it starts a lot earlier than most think! Throughout the advert, soundtracked by Stop the Cavalry by Jona Lewie, unassuming customers see farmers and other produce growers continuing with their preparations for Christmas, even when the sun is shining. Matt McLellan, Morrisons Group Customer, Data & Marketing Director, said: "Our Christmas advert tells the story of how our festive fayre, such as our award-winning mince pies or delicious smoked salmon, appears on our shelves and the care and attention that our colleagues and food makers put into making them. "At Morrisons, our unique capabilities in fresh food mean we’ve been helping to make more of Christmas all year by growing, picking, baking, proving, prepping and planning to support our customers as the big day draws near." Debenhams: Christmas Delivered View oEmbed on the source website Peter Crouch, Judi Love and many more famous faces have come together to celebrate the Debenhams Christmas advert for 2025. In a feel-good celebration of the festive season, an unassuming and sleepy British street is transformed into a bright and sparkling parade, packed to the brim with British celebrities. Debenhams proudly announce that it's never too soon to be in the Christmas spirit, with Crouchy shouting: "Let's have it!" Commenting on the film, Dan Finley, CEO at Debenhams Group, said, “This year’s ‘Debenhams Delivered’ campaign captures the moment when the magic of Christmas quite literally lands on your doorstep. "At its heart, it’s about connection – bringing people together through joy, laughter and the ease of finding everything you need in one place. With familiar faces like Olivia Attwood, Peter Crouch and Judi Love leading the celebration, the film captures that unmistakable British warmth and humour. We want our customers to feel that same sense of sparkle and magic this Christmas.” Sainsbury's: The Unexpected Guest View oEmbed on the source website The BFG makes a surprise appearance in the Sainsbury's Christmas advert as they aim to provide good food for all, via innovative and affordable food for every customer. Sainsbury's colleagues team up with the BFG as they try to stop The Greedy Giant from eating up all the delicious food. By the end of the advert, Annie the worker reminds us all that it's always possible to make room for people at Christmas. Radha Davies, Sainsbury's Marketing Director, said: “We want to help our customers have an unforgettable and magical Christmas. Sainsbury’s is here to help the nation get ready for anything during the festive season, from spectacular centrepieces to showstopping desserts, our innovative range of high-quality Taste the Difference food makes hosting easy. There’s something for every occasion and to bring joy to all, even when the unexpected strikes. “We were delighted to revisit our collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company this year. The BFG, who is loved by all, was the perfect partner to help our brilliant colleague Annie save the day for our customers. We wanted to capture a spirit of heartwarming nostalgia, with the energy of a great Christmas tale. "We’ve translated that joyful energy into our new food range, which is designed to help families and friends create wonderful memories, with delicious, quality options for every taste and budget.” Asda: A Very Merry Grinchmas View oEmbed on the source website The iconic Grinch makes his return in Asda's fun and jovial Christmas advert, soundtracked with a special version of Let it Snow. This advert is built around the premise that everyone has a Grinch in their family – but with quality and prices that Asda boasts, they don't need to be! This Grinch find his heart melted by the green light of Asda as the impressive prices help him transform back into his human "dad" self. Rachel Eyre, Chief Customer Officer at Asda said: “We’re so excited to launch this year’s Christmas campaign. We all love Christmas, but we also know it can come with financial pressures. "That’s why this year, we’re focused on helping everyone enjoy the festive season we all deserve, filled with joy, celebration, and the reassurance of Asda Price. If we can win over the Grinch, the biggest cynic of all, then we know that with our unmatchable mix - amazing products at unbeatable value – we can all have a truly fabulous Christmas together at Asda.” Boots: Gift Happily Ever After View oEmbed on the source website Boots opens up the fairytale book for its Christmas advert as Puss in Boots has to find some presents for his friends, Rapunz, Snowy, Cinders and Prince Charming ahead of the Snow Queen's Ball. Puss heads to Boots to find some presents among the range of beauty gifts: the Shark Glam 5-in-1 Hot Tool for Rapunz, a No7 Pro Artist Lip Duo Set for Snowy, Carolina Herrera Good Girl Perfume for Cinders, and a No7 Cordless Mirror for Prince Charming. Delighted with their gifts, they head off together to the ball where The Snow Queen receives an extra special gift of hot hand warmers – thoughtful touches for every character. Laura Gooday, Director of Marketing at Boots said: "This year, more than ever, we want to help our customers gift happily ever after. Our campaign, brought to life by Puss and his fairytale friends, reminds everyone that Boots is the destination for finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. "To help every gift-giver, we are delighted to have added a further 50+ gifting brands to our extensive line up this festive season, including a global debut and high street exclusive with White Fox, trending favourites such as Made by Mitchell and Beauty of Joseon, as well as beautiful gifts from customer favourite brands such as Bubble, LANEIGE and No7, and much more more, meaning there’s truly something for everyone.” Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.​
Wallace & Gromit return in cheeky Barbour Christmas advert
The best Christmas advert of the year may have just landed...
Iconic fashion brand Barbour has teamed up with Aardman once more for their annual Christmas advert. For the past two years, Barbour has collaborated with Shaun the Sheep for some festive fun, but this time they've switched it up and chosen to partner with global icons, Wallace & Gromit. In the advert, viewers are transported to Wallace & Gromit's home, where the beloved pup can be seen wrapping a present for his best friend as best he can. Wallace, ever the creator, decides to showcase his new invention: "Gift-o-matic". The gadget can give gifts, wrap presents, pull a cracker and even unwrap a present for you, fully taking the stress out of Christmas. As ever, Wallace's creation is a little, well, off, and when he sets the machine to unwrap his present from Gromit, he gets a little more than he bargained for, when it also unwraps him of his clothes! In a sweet move, Wallace and Gromit both buy each other the same Barbour Winterberry tartan scarf for each other, which they wear straight away – and surely Wallace will be grateful after losing all his clothes, too! Barbour is celebrating all things tartan after a successful Autumn/Winter 25 campaign, Ode to Ayrshire. Each season, the South Shields brand finds new palettes to celebrate the pattern and this year, the Winterberry colour-way will make a perfect present – just as it did for Wallace & Gromit. Barbour are also releasing more Re-loved jackets in partnership with Oxfam – you'll be able to find them in stores or via an online auction. Speaking of this year's advert, Barbour's Group Deputy Managing Director, Paul Wilkinson shared: "We are excited to be continuing our partnership with Aardman for another year; a brand, like Barbour, that is renowned for its heritage, nostalgia, craftsmanship and meticulous detail. View oEmbed on the source website "This year's film bring a light-hearted charm to Barbour's Original and Authentic Tartans including the Classic Tartan Scarf and the exclusive, reimagined Winterberry Tartan wrapping Wallace's ingenious Gift-o-matic. Whilst rooted in our British heritage, the story's themes of generosity and togetherness resonate far beyond the UK, reflecting the universal spirit of the season." Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit, added: "Wallace & Gromit have always embodied warmth, eccentricity, and quintessential British charm, which makes them a wonderful fit for Barbour's Christmas storytelling. "The Gift-o-matic is a classic Wallace invention - brilliant, but with a few hiccups - and we're delighted to share this playful, festive tale with audiences this year, in hope that the love, craft, warmth and humour bring big smiles this Christmas." Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.​
Dr Seuss's The Grinch makes iconic return to TV for sparkly new Christmas advert
The Yuletide-hating character is the star of Asda's 2025 festive campaign, which launched over the weekend.
With Halloween now in the rear view mirror, the countdown to Christmas is on – and we're already seeing the first batch of festive adverts appearing on TV. Asda's 2025 offering launched over the weekend and sees one of the most iconic Christmas characters of all time make a return to the screen: The Grinch. In the advert, the Yuletide-hating character is seen accompanied by two children for a Christmas shopping trip, but true to form, he doesn't appear to be enjoying the experience – singing a humorous song to the tone of festive staple Let it Snow. "Oh the prices this year are frightful, spenny gifts I've seen a sight full," he sings. "We're getting quite low on dough, it's a no, it's a no, it's a no." However, he soon sees a bright and shiny Asda sign in the distance, which makes him think twice about his previous negativity – especially impressed by the fact that it matches his green colour. Pushing a shopping trolley through the aisles, he then sings: "Oh the worries show signs of stopping. Wait – am I enjoying shopping? With prices rolled back down low, here we go, here we go, here we go." With his trolley full of festive foods and Christmas crackers – and his mood now bordering on euphoric – The Grinch continues: "When we get it all home tonight, oh it's all going to go down a treat. And to you lot who called me tight, look what we've brought you to eat!" One final verse sees him hosting a party in his house, complete with gift-giving, a roast turkey and all sorts of other festive fun – you can watch the spot in full below: View oEmbed on the source website The advert coincides with the 25th anniversary of the live-action film adaptation of Dr Seuss's iconic kids book, which famously saw Jim Carrey take on the title character. It was first shown on the supermarket's social channels on Saturday 1st November, before a shorter 60 second version aired on TV for the first time on ITV 1 at 8.30pm during an ad break for the 1% Club. And we can probably expect to see it on screen an awful lot more in the next couple of months! "We’re so excited to launch this year’s Christmas campaign," Asda's Chief Customer Officer Rachel Eyre said in a statement. "We all love Christmas, but we also know it can come with financial pressures. That’s why this year, we’re focused on helping everyone enjoy the festive season we all deserve, filled with joy, celebration, and the reassurance of Asda Price. "If we can win over the Grinch, the biggest cynic of all, then we know that with our unmatchable mix - amazing products at unbeatable value - we can all have a truly fabulous Christmas together at Asda." Looking for something to watch? Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked – and the winner is not who you'd expect
It's the most John Lewis-y time of the year, but which is its best advert of all time?
The nights are closing in and it's safe to say we're going to be spending a lot more time in front of the television, wrapped under a blanket. That also means we're about to watch a lot more advertisements from our favourite retailers as they vie for our custom over the busy festive period. One brand that always delivers a memorable advert is John Lewis, and the retailer pulls out all the stops every year to ensure customers remember their shop when it comes to buying presents for their loved ones. There's been 18 (yes, 18) adverts to date, ranging from the cute and cuddly to powerful tear-jerkers, and we at RadioTimes.com have taken it upon ourselves to rank them. So, while we wait for the next John Lewis Christmas advert, check out our ranking of all the previous entries below. Do you agree? 18. Shadows (2007) Cast your minds back 14 years and you might just remember Shadows. A sweet and snappy advert which showcased plenty of John Lewis's gift range in the form of silhouetting. Who would have thought a coffee machine and a feather boa could make a pretty convincing dog? Well, maybe Britain's Got Talent winners, Attraction... A far cry from the tear-jerking emotion-fests we're used to, but pretty punchy nevertheless. 17. The Feeling (2009) In at number 13, this is really the advert that started them all. This was the first to feature a dramatic cover while a cute sentimental scene played out on screen. This time, to the tune of Sweet Child o' Mine, kids open presents typically given to adults, prompting us all to "remember how Christmas used to feel". Ahh. 16. Clues (2008) Another one from the-before-times in at 12, with Clues, a cutesy advert with puns at the heart of it. With a cover of The Beatles' From Me to You at the heart of the advert, we met different characters and got a snapshot of their perfect presents – a tired man wanted a coffee machine, and so on. If only gifting really was that simple, eh? 15. Unexpected Guest (2021) During another difficult year for the UK, John Lewis knocked it out of the park with a sweet advert about friendship. An alien crash lands on Earth and makes friends with a young boy who teaches her all about Christmas, including showing her what a Christmas tree is. The advert's song was Together in Electric Dreams, and while incredibly sweet and quite different, it might not be the most memorable they've ever done. 14. Buster the Boxer (2016) Happy boxer dog Buster just wants to play. When he sees foxes and a badger among the myriad of animals playing on a young girl's trampoline she isn't allowed until Christmas Day, Buster has one thing on his mind. As she runs out to play on her new toy, she's beaten by the pup, who just wanted a bounce. Vaults provided a cover of One Day I'll Fly Away for this pretty cute advert. The only problem – not really the most festive, was it? And the poor girl had to wait even longer for her present. 13. The Boy & The Piano (2018) Look, we love Elton John as much as everyone else, so it was a real treat to see him appear on John Lewis's 2018 Christmas advert. But again, like our Buster above, it felt like more of an advert for Elt's autobiography (which is great, would recommend) or his latest single, than a festive ad. A cool advert with some really swish effect, just needed more Christmas, to be honest. 12. Give a Little Love (2020) After a tough year with the COVID pandemic, John Lewis brought an honest and thought-provoking message to screens, prompting everyone to "give a little love" with small acts of kindness. Celeste performed A Little Love on this sweet and understated advert, which was a true reflection of the time we were living in. John Lewis worked with many charities in the UK so profits from the tie-in range were spent wisely, and in-keeping with the lovely tone of the advert. 11. The Gifting Hour (2024) View oEmbed on the source website For the 2024 offering, John Lewis told a sweet story of two believable sisters, where one of whom is looking for the perfect gift for her sister. While she's struggling to find a present, our main character Sally finds a door behind a rack, which transports her back through memories of growing up with her sister. She looks at jewellery, clothes and more, just trying to find the perfect gift for her sibling, before she finally spots the right present. The advert ends as Sally gives her sister the perfect present after a lengthy search. The tagline is simple: “The secret to finding the perfect gift? Knowing where to look.” The lovely, relatable, family-based advert has a gorgeous acoustic rendition of The Verve's Sonnet by Richard Ashcroft. John Lewis also opened up a competition for viewers who could take to social media with their own covers of Sonnet, and the best would be played on Christmas Day in a special version of the ad. 10. Moz the Monster (2017) Elbow sing a beautiful version of The Beatles' Golden Slumbers for adorable Moz the Monster, which would most certainly win if we were ranking the songs. Big and bumbling Moz lives under a little boy's bed – he's afraid of the dark, but this friendly giant tells him exactly why he shouldn't be. While they have fun playing at night, it's not sustainable for the poor lad, who just wants to kip during the day. Thinking of what's best for him, Moz gifts a nightlight to his new friend and says goodbye, letting him get on with his life. Completely adorable, and a John Lewis classic, even if some did find Moz a bit scary. 9. A Tribute to Givers (2010) The one you'll all remember – at least for the song. Ellie Goulding's cover of Elton John rocketed up the charts when A Tribute to Givers was released, marking a whole new wave of touching John Lewis adverts. In this cute video, people prepare to give gifts to their loved ones, often struggling with wrapping tricky objects or conceal a rocking horse from two kids (Santa clearly couldn't carry that one...). This one reminded us all of the lengths we go to to give the perfect present – and the next advert on the list highlights just how special that feeling is. 8. The Long Wait (2011) As a follow on from A Tribute to Givers comes The Long Wait. You know the feeling – you've got your loved one the most perfect present, but you have to wait ages to give it to them. That's what happens to the little boy in this truly lovely advert which features Slow Moving Millie's cover of Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want. All the way through the ad, you think this is a little boy just waiting for Santa to come, but BAM! You get an emotional gut punch when it's revealed all he was really excited for was giving his hand-wrapped present to his parents. TOO. CUTE. 7. Snapper: The Perfect Tree (2023) View oEmbed on the source website Who would've thought a Venus flytrap would leave us with all the feels? That's the power of the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023. A young boy called Alfie plans on growing his own perfect Christmas tree after finding a kit on the market. But when it starts to sprout, he discovers it's not a usual Christmas tree – it's a carnivorous plant! Cue hilarity as Alfie adorably tries to dress up Snapper to look like a tree, much to the dismay of his family, who want to keep their traditions right. But in a genuinely heartbreaking scene, Snapper paws at the window, begging to be able to play with Alfie, even if he did try to eat their Pomeranian (we all make mistakes). Alfie and his family learn to embrace new traditions as they head outside to put some presents underneath Snapper for him to guard... until he eats them. Thankfully, he puts his recycling hat on and spits out the perfect gifts for the family while turning the packaging into a glorious and festive confetti-d scene. One big plus for the advert is actually a huge change for the retailer. Usually, they put out a cover of a well-known song with a popular artist performing it, but this year they went for an original composition, performed epically by none other than Andrea Bocelli. Though Snapper isn't as memorable as perhaps Edgar or Monty as a character, he has plenty of heart. And just because he's a Venus flytrap that might eat your family pet if he grows big enough, we love him all the same. 6. Excitable Edgar (2019) Set in Ye Olde times, Edgar just can't wait for Christmas, but the only issue is he blows flames when he's happy. The advert, set to Bastille's cover of Can't Fight This Feeling, shows the village fed up with the adorable dragon who's always (accidentally) ruining the fun until his little friend Ava finds the perfect gift that always needs a flame – a Christmas pudding. Funny, witty and downright sickly sweet, this is one to remember. 5. The Bear and the Hare (2013) We guarantee with just the title alone you know exactly which advert I'm talking about. Set to Lily Allen's famous cover of Keane's Somewhere Only We Know, The Bear and the Hare tells the tale of winter wildlife in charming 2D animation. A bear heads on hibernation, missing all the festive fun, until a thoughtful rabbit buys him an alarm clock, so he can enjoy Christmas with all his friends from the forest. Simple, beautifully-made, and catchy, The Bear and the Hare set the precedent for Christmas adverts across the land – but none have ever matched this masterpiece. 4. The Beginner (2022) View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis's 2022 Christmas advert features the touching story of a foster dad who goes out of his way for his new child coming. Ellie loves to skateboard so the middle-aged man takes it upon himself to learn the art and though he suffers a few bumps and scrapes along the way, manages to acquire a few skills just in time for the teenager to arrive. The advert shows that a little goes a long way while also highlighting the incredibly important issue of vulnerable children in care. Moving and poignant, John Lewis' 2022 advert is understated and packs a powerful punch. Read more: Best Christmas adverts 2023: From John Lewis to M&S and Asda John Lewis Christmas advert 2023: Meet Snapper the flytrap John Lewis launches Christmas advert starring Snapper the Venus flytrap 3. The Journey (2012) Gabrielle Aplin covered The Power of Love and was actually the first of the retailer's soundtrack songs to head to number one in the UK charts. The premise was glorious and ambitious: a snowman travelled across mountains, rivers and UK high streets to find his snow(wo)man the perfect gift – a hat and scarf set. Now, we're not sure personally how helpful the gift was, but you can't blame a man for trying. Nevertheless, this certainly got the nation talking as we all wished our partners were as good at buying gifts as a – *checks notes* – snowman. 2. The Man on the Moon (2015) View oEmbed on the source website Norwegian singer Aurora covered Oasis hit Half the World Away for this emotional and powerful offering. A young girl spots an old man living on the moon by himself and tries her best to get his attention. She eventually wins by sending him a telescope via balloons so he can watch Christmas from his home. John Lewis teamed up with Age UK to raise awareness of loneliness at Christmas among the elderly, while also raising much needed funds for the charity. This was – and still is – a true tearjerker with the most important Christmas message at the heart of it: "Show someone they're loved this Christmas." 1. Monty the Penguin (2014) View oEmbed on the source website I dare you not to melt completely after watching Monty the Penguin. Little boy Sam and his penguin pal Monty do everything together, but the latter feels there's something missing, especially when it hits Christmas time. He just wants a lover. Sam surprises him on Christmas morning with a girlfriend, as Tom Odell hits the crescendo of Real Love, but the actual twist comes just moments later as you realise Monty and his new lover are just Sam's toys – and that's the real love. (We're not crying, you are.) The advert was so successful it spawned a thousand memes (many of which are simply too rude to share here) and turned Monty the Penguin into a household name, starting the beginning of John Lewis's popular character-based offerings. Truly one of a kind and so innovative, it was always going to be number one. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best Christmas adverts 2024: John Lewis and Tesco release tear-jerking stories
Almost all Christmas adverts are now out, with John Lewis releasing their highly anticipated advert on 14th November. The retail giant went down the emotional route, portraying a lovely story about a woman who dives into her memories to find the perfect gift for her beloved sister. Joining them with the tear-jerkers is Tesco, who's story about missing a loved one at Christmas has set the nation crying. There's been some lighter moments from Barbour (who recruited Shaun the Sheep), Morrison's (with their singing oven gloves) and Sainsbury's (with their whimsical BFG story). The most unusual and talked-about has been from Waitrose, who set about doing a two-parter advert with a mystery at the heart of it. Needless to say, it's Christmas, alright. Scroll down to see the best Christmas adverts of 2024. John Lewis: The Gifting Hour View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis has finally unveiled their Christmas campaign for 2024 - and it's a sweet one. Centred around family, the story follows Sally (Margaret Clunie), who's desperate to find the perfect gift for her sister in John Lewis, just 15 minutes before the store shuts for the big day. She finds a magical door which transports her back through important memories with her sister, while she tries to get ideas on presents she'll really love. When she gets back to reality, she's got a neatly wrapped gift in hand and heads to give it to her beloved sister. The song behind it is The Verve's Sonnet, performed for a special acoustic version by Richard Ashcroft. Tesco: Helping #FeedYourChristmasSpirit View oEmbed on the source website Tesco has produced a tear-jerker this year with their Christmas advert, that tells the story of Gary, a man who lost his dear Grandmother in the year. When his Grandfather gives him some Gingerbread cookies, his world is transformed into a gingerbread paradise, with Christmas becoming magical for him. But memories of his Grandmother start creeping in, making him sad, which ruin the feel-good Christmas world - that is, until, he remembers the joy of making a gingerbread house with his Grandmother, and decides to make one with his Grandfather in her absence. The joy and love he remembered comes back once more and Christmas is as magical as ever for Gary, while he can still remember those he lost. Hobbycraft: Every Moment is a Gift View oEmbed on the source website Hobbycraft is going above and beyond just an advert this Christmas to bring joy to children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. The advert sees colleagues designing, creating and delivering an array of handmade Christmas decorations to Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice in West Sussex to make transform it into a winter wonderland. It ends with a call for viewers to donate £5 by texting MOMENT to 70560 or via www.hobbycraft.co.uk/charity to raise vital funds for Together for Short Lives. JD Sports: The Family Portrait Sports retailer JD has released its Christmas campaign which celebrates ever aspect of families at Christmas, from those they are born into to those they find through friends. Furthermore, it's jam-packed with starts such as Central Cee, Maya Jama, Chunkz, and Liverpool legend, Trent Alexander-Arnold. The advert features different tableaus of family life that keep us going and push us forward, all to the soundtrack made up of Jamie XX's Wanna. Watch JD Sport's Christmas advert 2024 here. Asda: Gnome of Christmas View oEmbed on the source website If there's one thing we love at Christmas, it's a good old fashioned pun. And there's plenty in the fun advert from Asda. The supermarket giant has enlisted garden gnomes from across the land to help get Asda ship and shape for Christmas, getting help cooking some delightful mince pies and more, delivering some beautiful clothes for party season and helping turn on the Christmas lights, all before driving gnome for Christmas. I mean, home. The advert is set to the music from the A-Team theme tune and of course a remix of Driving Home for Christmas. Truly memorable. Boots: #MakeMagic View oEmbed on the source website Boots brought the star-power to their Christmas advert with Bridgerton's Lady Danbury herself stepping into the role of Mrs Claus. The retailer brought the "werkshop" to life with Adjoa Andoh leading her helpful elves while showcasing all the beauty goodies on offer to customers this Christmas. The advert ends with a fabulous aside from Andoh, who adds, "you thought it was all him?". Barbour: Shaun the Sheep x Baa-bour View oEmbed on the source website Barbour has now released its Christmas advert for 2024, and it's a festive affair featuring one very familiar face: Shaun the Sheep. The retailer has teamed up with the Aardman favourite for a second year, and this time he's part of a *Baabershop choir*. The festive short starts with Shaun and the rest of the flock ready to perform a rendition of a Christmas carol, but they're all simply far too cold to do so! Bitzer, the choir leader has a plan, and drives off to his local town, before returning with arms full of Barbour bags filled with scarves and woolly hats. Now they're all warm, they're of course in the right frame of mind to perform their carol which is filled with pure festive joy. M&S: Christmas Starts Here M&S has launched the second part of their Christmas campaign featuring goodies from clothing and home. As part of the campaign, Skylar Blu (Britain's Got Talent season 15) leads the way with her magical snow globe that makes festive dreams come true along with song and dance. Anna Braithwaite, M&S Clothing & Home Marketing Director, said: “For many of our customers, Christmas is one of the biggest events in the calendar, a moment for the whole family to look forward to, to come together and create lasting memories. “The festive season instils a sense of hope, wonder and joy and this year, we’re taking a playful approach by adding a little fantasy to our Christmas campaign. We have long been known to deliver the magic and sparkle of Christmas for our customers and this season, through our campaign, we’re showcasing the very best of M&S, with exceptional quality, stylish clothing and innovative, thoughtful and playful gifts – all at a great value.” Watch the M&S Christmas advert 2024 here. Lidl: A Magical Christmas and a Freeway truck View oEmbed on the source website Lidl has unveiled its Christmas advert which has been created by Oscar-winning director, Tom Hooper (the force behind The King's Speech among others). The message behind it is important, showing how small gestures can make a big difference this Christmas. The advert starts with a narrator describing magic for "all but one", and shows a young boy looking cold on the sidelines while he watches children on their sledges. A little girl notices him and is concerned. She stops to help an elderly woman with her bags, who then tells her to make a wish when the bell rings. In a sweet scene, the girl wishes for the cold boy to have a Lidl woolly hat to keep him warm. Lidl has confirmed the return of its Toy Bank scheme, which will aim to donate over 100,000 toys to children who may not have received a gift otherwise this Christmas. Lidl shoppers can drop off new and unopened toys at their local stores until 16th December. And the above ad isn't Lidl's only festive innovation this year – the supermarket has also unveiled a second campaign that rivals Coca-Cola's iconic Christmas truck. A 15 tonne, 20 metre long truck themed on its own-brand Freeway cola drink will visit 9 cities across the UK including Dundee, Wrexham and Wolverhampton – giving away present boxes, festive food shops and free food samples at each stop. Check out the ad – which also introduced Lidl employee-turned Santa lookalike Nick – below: View oEmbed on the source website Waitrose: Sweet Suspicion View oEmbed on the source website Stars from Succession, Fleabag and Sex Education have teamed up for Waitrose's super fun whodunnit Christmas advert. Matthew Macfadyen stars as the Detective and is called upon to investigate who stole the yummy No.1 Waitrose Red Velvet Bauble Dessert before Christmas... The culprit will be revealed in the second part of the advert, set to land at a later date. Joe Wilkinson, Rakhee Thakrar, Sian Clifford, Dustin Demri-Burns and Erly Maynard all join the fun advert which was directed by Lucy Forbes (This is Going to Hurt). M&S Christmas Food View oEmbed on the source website Dawn French is back as the Fairy in a unique six-part advert from Marks & Spencer - with a twist, as Dawn French will not only voice the Fairy, but will appear in the advert herself! Set to the tune of Step into Christmas by Elton John, the six-part advert captures the true spirit of Christmas as the Fairy delivers her festive magic. With food at the heart of the advert, viewers can see all the turkey and trimmings plus some delicious desserts to make your Christmas an unforgettable taste sensation! Over each instalment of the advert, the food keeps coming, with Dawn and Fairy enjoying the amazing treats on offer. Speaking of her role in the advert, Dawn French says: "I’m absolutely thrilled to be fluttering back as Fairy this Christmas, and oh my wings, do we have a plot twist for you! Let’s just say, Fairy meeting Dawn herself was quite THE moment! Who knew we’d ever share the same screen? Magic really does happen!" Shelter: World of Our Own View oEmbed on the source website Housing and homelessness charity, Shelter, has launched a poignant Christmas advert, to highlight child homelessness and those living in temporary accommodation. With the tagline "Love alone can’t protect a child from homelessness, but your donations could," Shelter encourages viewers to donate in order to help the thousands of children living in difficult conditions this year. The advert shows a young girl with her dad wandering an alien landscape, enjoying their adventure together. Mia spots Santa as he makes his way towards Earth and she high-fives an alien before being thrust back to reality where tensions escalate in the family due to their temporary accommodation. At the end of the advert, Mia and her dad return to the fantasy, while the dad agonises over how he will protect his daughter from real life. Polly Neate, Chief Executive at Shelter said: “As a record 150,000 children face the prospect of spending winter stuck homeless in temporary accommodation, this film lays bare the stark and brutal reality that so many families are forced to experience. A grotty hostel or a cramped bedsit, with precious little room to sleep or play, is no home for anyone. Yet, this is where a heart-breaking number of children will be waking up on Christmas morning. Through the winter months, and all year round, Shelter’s expert advisers, across our community services, emergency helpline and online advice services, are doing all they can to support families to find or keep hold of a safe home. We need the public’s help and donations, now more than ever, to help us to be there for thousands of families who need us this winter.” Visit www.shelter.org.uk/donate to donate. Morrisons Morrisons has followed up its charming Christmas advert from last year with the return of the singing oven gloves! This year, they're performing Give a Little Love from Bugsy Malone which features a 26-person choir made up of Morrisons' colleagues from across the country. And for added star-power, the advert was directed by Michael Gracey who is behiund The Greatest Showman. The animated gloves represent hosts up and down the country who go above and beyond on Christmas Day to bring a feast to family tables. Alex Rogerson, Morrisons Group Customer and Marketing Officer said: "Morrisons is here to ensure that every host can put on the greatest show at home this Christmas. We know that hosting can come with some pressure, but with our top-quality Christmas range and a little help from Morrisons experts and our singing oven gloves – our customers are set to shine bright this Christmas, with our range of great value food that looks spectacular, and tastes just as good.” Watch the Morrisons Christmas advert 2024 here. Amazon: Midnight Opus Amazon is showing how thoughtful gifts can go a long way in their new Christmas advert for 2024. Set to What the World Needs Now, the advert opens with a janitor going about his business in a theatre, but when colleagues hear his outstanding voice, they decide to use Amazon to prepare a performance stage for him to show off his talent. Watch the Amazon Christmas advert 2024 here. Freemans: Sophie & The Style Squad Freemans.com has dropped their Christmas advert for 2024, with one very famous face delivering sought-after gifts. Sophie Ellis-Bextor is on hand in full sequin to drop off presents like a leopard-print handbag, LED facemask and Adidas trainers. Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and I hope we’ve packed that special feeling into these 30 seconds. The festive season is about spreading cheer, giving to others, celebrating our families and friendships and yes, treating ourselves too. I had so much fun making the ad with Freemans and I hope it puts everyone in the Christmas spirit a little earlier this year.” Watch the Freemans Christmas advert 2024 here. Aldi: Kevin the Carrot returns View oEmbed on the source website This year's advert from Aldi is bringing back the supermarket's mascot Kevin the Carrot for a daring Mission Impossible-style adventure. The ad opens in a festive snowy village on Christmas Eve, which is soon plunged into darkness when a series of characters capture the 'Spirit of Christmas'. But never fear: Santa has Kevin the Carrot on speed dial and wakes him to task him with breaking into the Humbug Headquarters and outsmarting Dr Humbug and her humbug minions to get the 'Spirit of Christmas' back. Jemma Townsend, Marketing Director at Aldi UK, said: "Would it even be Christmas without Kevin the Carrot on our screens? We’re delighted to bring back everyone’s favourite carrot for a ninth year to help the nation get into the Christmas spirit." Kyrsten Halley, Marketing Director at Aldi UK, added: "While the ad is packed with the light-hearted entertainment our shoppers have come to know and love, the message behind the campaign is a more serious one — we want to make sure everyone can have the best Christmas possible. It’s why we have a big focus on quality this Christmas, while making sure our prices continue to be unbeatable." Argos: Trevor the Rockstar Argos revealed its Christmas advert on Friday 1st November, which featured the company's mascot Trevor the dinosaur imagining his life as a rockstar. Standing atop a mound of Marshall amplifiers and speakers as an adoring crowd chants his name, Trevor shreds the guitar as he covers the classic T-Rex hit 20th Century Boy – with the lyrics changed to 20th Century Toy. His friend Connie the doll is one of those in the audience, until we hear her shout "Trev", waking him up from what appears to have been a daydream. She then wishes him a Marry Christmas and hands him a present, which he opens to find one of those Marshall speakers he'd been dreaming of. "Whatever you're dreaming of, there's more to Argos," a voiceover says. "Our customers love Trevor the dinosaur and Connie the doll, so we’re thrilled they’re back again to spread some festive fun and magic in such an energetic and upbeat way," said Argos head of campaigns Laura Boothby. “At Argos, whatever your loved ones are dreaming of this Christmas, we’ve got it covered. Whether it’s the latest and best in sound and tech, or the top toys of the season." Watch the Argos Christmas advert 2024 here. Etsy: Where's Wally? Etsy has also revealed it's Christmas advert for 2024, with the online retailer debuting a new spot which revolves around a live-action version of the classic children's book Where's Wally? It features Wally wandering about town in his iconic red-and-white stripy top and talking about how he loves crowds but wishes people would stop asking "Where's Wally?" and instead ask "Who's Wally?" But at the end of the advert he returns home to a woman wearing a matching outfit, explaining "Sometimes it takes someone who really knows you to make you feel seen," as she hands him a present that turns out to be a customised compass. As reported by ADWEEK, Etsy chief brand officer Brad Minor said: "We wanted to create a campaign that captures the emotional magic of meaningful gift-giving – how Etsy sellers create gifts that make people feel truly seen and understood. Our holiday campaign highlights how Etsy sellers aren’t just making products, they’re creating moments of connection." Watch the Etsy Christmas advert 2024 here. Debenhams: Duh, Debenhams This year's Debenhams advert perfectly captures the chaos that can come with Christmas shopping on the high street. As we see paper shopping bags disintegrating in the rain, too many search engine pop-ups adding to the pre-Christmas stress and lengthy store queues, some familiar faces remind us that actually, the ease of it all can come by simply shopping online at Debenhams. The solution to it all? Duh, Debenhams. The cast of the advert includes actress and model Elizabeth Hurley, model Leomie Anderson, comedian Ellie Taylor, and model and presenter Hannah Cooper-Dommett. On starring in the advert, Hurley said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be part of ‘Duh, Debenhams’ this Christmas, my favourite time of year! This campaign beautifully embodies the joy of the festive season, blending humour with style. "There’s nothing quite like celebrating with loved ones at holiday parties, and Debenhams makes it easy to find the perfect outfits and gifts that elevate every gathering." Watch the Debenhams Christmas advert 2024 here. Sainsbury's: Sainsbury's BIG Christmas View oEmbed on the source website This year's advert from Sainsbury's has gone big - really big, as it has been inspired by and features Roald Dahl's beloved character the BFG. The ad sees the BFG planning his Christmas meal, before asking: "Hey, Sainsbury’s, how can we make this Christmas a bit more… phizz-whizzing?" A Sainsbury's colleague named Sophie offers to help the BFG as they travel the land in search of food, sourcing fresh produce from Sainsbury’s suppliers, including salmon, Brussels sprouts and Stilton cheese. Following their adventures, the advert ends with Sophie and the BFG wishing each other a merry Christmas, and the voice of Stephen Fry saying to customers: "Want to go big this Christmas? Ask Sainsbury’s. Good food for all of us." Emma Bisley, head of campaigns at Sainsbury’s, said of the ad: "Collaborating with the Roald Dahl Story Company this year was a remarkable opportunity to tap into the nostalgia and heartwarming spirit that the BFG embodies, and we hope that this advert captures the nation's hearts and fills them with joy." TK Maxx: Festive Farm View Green Video on the source website Fans may get a bit of déjà vu watching this year's TK Maxx Christmas ad, as the retailer has decided to bring back its campaign from 2023, called Festive Farm. The advert sees a beret-wearing goat, bow tie-adorned duck, cosy-sweatered alpaca and bobble-hatted hedgehog donning designer Christmas gifts from the farmer and his wife, and strutting through the snow to Eve and Gwen Stefani's Let Me Blow Ya Mind. The farmer asks his wife, "Did you buy all the farm designer outfits? I thought we were keeping it small with the gifts this year?" to which she replies, "Oh, I did, love." New elements tied to the campaign for this year include TK Maxx selling the characters as a range of soft toys, with £2.50 from the sale of every toy going to The King’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people develop the skills and confidence to create a better future. Meanwhile, this year TK Maxx has also teamed up with the creator of TikTok and Instagram account 'Sylvanian Drama', who have brought the festive friends to life through a three-part social content series, which will launch across TK Maxx’s TikTok and Instagram channels in mid-November. Keep this page bookmarked as we bring you the best Christmas adverts for 2024 as they drop. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 breaks from song tradition in emotional family story
Viewers have the chance to record their own version of this year's track.
The John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 is finally out, and it's a tear-jerker. The retailer has chosen to move away from character-based adverts, and focus instead on family relations, and the importance of giving the perfect gift. The sweet two-minute advert, produced by Saatchi & Saatchi, is centred around two sisters, one of whom is looking for the perfect gift for the other. While browsing John Lewis before close, Sally stumbles upon a magical door which allows her to dive into her memories to try to find that special item her sister will love. The song to accompany the advert is The Verve's Sonnet, performed in an emotional acoustic version by Richard Ashcroft – and there is a significant break from tradition to go along with the track, which you can read about below. Last year, we met Snapper the Venus flytrap, who won over hearts with his unusual but completely loveable behaviour. Without further ado, read on to find out everything you need to know about the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024. And you can watch the advert below: View oEmbed on the source website When is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 released? The John Lewis Christmas advert was released on Thursday 14th November. We correctly predicted it would either land on the first or second Thursday of the month, and an Instagram post from the retailer confirmed it would be the latter. What is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 about? The advert is centred around two sisters, one of whom is looking for the perfect gift for her sister. While she's struggling to find a present, and the shops are due to close, our main character Sally finds a door behind a rack of dresses which transports her back to her memories from childhood. She speaks with her sister throughout the years, debating whether she should have jewellery or clothes. Sally recounts all her memories from the past, good and bad, including her sister giving birth to her nephew, the pair arguing over stolen clothes and drunken wintry catch-ups. The advert comes to a close as Sally returns to John Lewis, just in the nick of time, with the perfect present all wrapped up and ready to give to her sister, who just so happens to be outside. The sister asks what took Sally so long, to which she replies: "You!" The final shot shows the tagline: “The secret to finding the perfect gift? Knowing where to look.” The Verve's Richard Ashcroft provides the song for the advert, which is an acoustic version of Sonnet. Viewers will have a chance to recreate the song this year in a break from tradition. Usually, the song is a cover, but this time John Lewis is asking people to make their own covers, with the chance to win some amazing prizes, including the opportunity to record their cover to go out in a special version of the advert on Christmas Day. Charlotte Lock, Customer Director for John Lewis, said: “The secret to finding the perfect gift is knowing where to look. Our ad heroes the thoughtful gift-giver and celebrates ‘the gifting hour’, the moment when you go a little deeper in your heart and in our stores to find something really special and meaningful for the ones you love. "Our shops are the beating heart of our brand and our customers love the ritual of Christmas shopping there - so we wanted to give the store a starring role in our ad for the first time. “This year the John Lewis Christmas advert features an original song rather than a cover track, and we’re offering the nation the chance to put their own stamp on it and become the ultimate cover star. So whether your style is pop, indie, country or R&B - we can’t wait to hear your take on Sonnet.” Franki Goodwin, Chief Creative Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “We’ve all been there - time’s running out, and you’re still looking for the perfect gift for someone in your life who’s impossible to shop for. That’s why I believe viewers will truly connect with our heroine - as she dives into a rack of dresses, exploring her memories in search of that special gift. “The Gifting Hour is a glorious visual and emotional feast which is both grown-up and childlike at the same time. Our chosen track, Richard Ashcroft’s Sonnet, is a memory for anyone who grew up in the '90s – and the fact we’ve not chosen a cover version really leans into the nostalgia. We are delighted, however, to invite the nation to cover the track for Christmas Day, in a wonderful twist on the magic John Lewis formula." What was last year's John Lewis Christmas advert? View oEmbed on the source website While speculation was rife about what last year's advert would contain, no one could expect it to be about a Venus flytrap. A young boy, called Alfie, stumbles upon the kit to grow the perfect Christmas tree, so he puts it to the test – but when it sprouts, he discovers it's not a Christmas tree at all, but a Venus flytrap. Nonetheless, Alfie falls in love with his carnivorous plant, and the pair go out of their way to convince his family to ditch the usual tree in favour of Snapper. His family don't quite have the same fondness they have, especially when the family pooch nearly finds itself in Snapper's mouth, and the plant's sadly cast outside. Enter the gut-wrenching scene where Snapper paws at the window, longing to be with his friend. The family realise he's quite special indeed, and decide to bring presents outside to him for him to guard. But he ends up eating them in a comical moment - only to reveal he can munch up the packaging and deliver the right gifts to the right people! How handy. The advert had an original song on it, as well, with Andrea Bocelli performing Festa for the fun festive offering. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 song? Artist and track revealed
It's officially Christmas now the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 is out! The retailer has unveiled its campaign for 2024, featuring two sisters, one of whom is on the hunt for the perfect gift and takes a journey through time to try to work out what her sibling would love. The two-minute advert, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, takes viewers on an emotional journey starting in the shop, before heading back in time as Sally looks for the best gift. Every year, the advert is soundtracked by a cover, but this year, things are a little different, with a classic song performed by the original singer. Furthermore, John Lewis is launching a competition for fans to cover the song, with some amazing prizes to be won. Last year, an original song called Festa was performed by Andrea Bocelli. The likes of Ellie Goulding, Lily Allen, Tom Odell and Elbow among others have performed on the highly anticipated advert. So, what is the song for 2024? And who sings it? Read on for all the details. What is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 song? The song for the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 is Sonnet by The Verve. The powerful song was originally released in 1998 by the indie band, but the version on the John Lewis advert has been re-recorded by The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. The new version can be heard on Ashcroft's album, Acoustic Hymns Vol 1, released in 2021. Lyrically, the track is perfect for the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 as it is around diving into memories with an old friend. The song opens: "My friend and me / Looking through her red box of memories / Faded I'm sure / But love seems to stick in her veins you know / Yes, there's love if you want it." Who sings the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 song? Richard Ashcroft performs the song on the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024. The Verve frontman re-made his song for a recent acoustic album. What is the John Lewis #MySonnet competition? Every year (except in 2023), John Lewis covers a popular song in its Christmas advert, often remaking it into a brand new song. But this year, the retailer is putting the opportunity into viewers' own hands by inviting them to make #MySonnet on TikTok. On 15th November, the competition will launch inviting performers to submit their offerings via the hashtag #MySonnet. The winner, chosen by Ashcroft and a panel of independent judges, will get the chance to record their version of Sonnet in a professional recording session with a top producer (which will be released as a single with proceeds donated to Building Happier Futures charity), a £3,000 John Lewis shopping spree, and tickets to see Richard Ashcroft live in 2025. Perhaps most exciting of all, the winning version of Sonnet will appear in a special version of the John Lewis Christmas advert on Christmas Day! Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Barbour Christmas advert 2024: Shaun the Sheep makes festive appearance in sweet short film
Barbour have delivered perhaps the sweetest Christmas advert of 2024, with a cute film featuring Shaun the Sheep. The beloved Aardman character has paired up with the premium fashion brand once more for a bit of festive fun, with a central message of giving the gift of warmth this Christmas. Aardman have brought snow and festivities to Mossy Bottom Farm which sees Bitzer the dog attempting to conduct a choir of sheep but they're all so cold they can't hit their harmonies. Looking at his own hat and scarf, Bitzer decides to head to Barbour to pick up some items for Shaun and his flock in a bid to warm them up this winter. When he returns with arms full of shopping bags, the flock quickly don the knitted gear and manage to perform a lovely tune. This is the second year Barbour has teamed up with Aardman, after last year's cute commercial saw The Farmer's beloved wax jacket get a bit of love. As part of the campaign, Barbour are releasing 30 limited edition Barbour x Shaun the Sheep Re-loved wax jacket, with proceeds going to Oxfam. Paul Wilkinson, Group Commercial Director at Barbour said: “After the success of last year's campaign, we are excited to be collaborating with Aardman for another year. A British brand that shares our core values of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and quality. The Barbour and Aardman customer is multi-generational, which was a big part of the inspiration behind this campaign. This year we are pleased to support Oxfam, giving 30 people the opportunity to purchase a unique, limited-edition Barbour x Shaun the Sheep Re-loved wax jacket with all proceeds going to the charity.” View oEmbed on the source website Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman shared: “We’re delighted to launch the next festive Shaun the Sheep adventure for Barbour. These iconic British brands share strong values of quality, craft and a shared love of the outdoors. Shaun and the flock have never looked better than in Barbour!” The jackets will be sold in Oxfam stores and on Barbour.com. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Succession and Sex Education stars join Waitrose Christmas advert for whodunnit mystery
Waitrose has gone live with its fun Christmas advert for 2024, showcasing a superb whodunnit. Its star-studded advert sees cast members from Sex Education and Succession joining forces for a bit of festive fun. The advert, called Sweet Suspicion: A Waitrose Mystery, marks the start of the retailer's festive plans. We join a family of food lovers who are getting ready for Christmas Day, only for them to discover that the No. 1 Waitrose Red Velvet Bauble Dessert has gone missing! An amateur detective, played by Succession's Matthew Macfadyen, sets about finding who took the yummy dessert. Was it Grandma? Samira? Or someone completely hidden in plain sight? Joe Wilkinson (Afterlife), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education), Sian Clifford (Fleabag), Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses) and Eryl Maynard (Agatha Christie's Miss Marple) join Macfadyen in the star-studded two-part advert. Speaking of his detective role, Macfadyen said: "I wonder if my extensive repertoire of past detective roles led to me to this very moment – starring in this wonderful Waitrose whodunnit. View oEmbed on the source website "Working with such a great cast on such a fun project for Christmas was such a joy. I think together, we have created a story that will have the public speculating over who the pud thief really is!" Nathan Ansell, customer director at Waitrose, added: "For the first time, we’re keeping Waitrose customers guessing with a 'whodunnit' festive crime drama featuring a stellar cast for this year’s Christmas ad. "Our Christmas campaign is all about how Waitrose (Christmas) food is so good, you can't wait to get your hands on it, so we’ve showcased the very best of our delicious range while also adding a touch of festive fun and sparkle. "Was it Uncle Phil? Was it Fig the cat? You’ll have to wait and see!" Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best Christmas adverts 2023: From John Lewis to M&S and Tesco
Retailers are pulling out all the stops this Christmas.
The time has come: John Lewis has finally unveiled its Christmas advert for 2023, and it's got us feeling all warm and fuzzy. The retail giant has asked us to embrace new Christmas traditions, even if they're a little different, thanks to adorable Snapper the Venus flytrap. What's more, John Lewis got an operatic legend for the soundtrack, with none other than Andrea Bocelli providing his outstanding voice for the campaign. It's truly hard to beat such an outstanding advert by John Lewis, but it's got stiff musical competition from the likes of Asda with Michael Bublé, M&S with Hannah Waddingham, and a singing oven glove from Morrisons. And that's without mentioning the Christmas tree people from Tesco! We've rounded up the very best Christmas adverts this year so you can decide for yourself which is best: tweet us @RadioTimes with your thoughts! Tesco: Helping you Become More Christmas View oEmbed on the source website Tesco has pulled out all the stops for their festive advert which sees a family getting into the Christmas spirit - quite literally. The ad opens with a very happy dad who's propelled into full festivities when he sees a Panettone and at the taste of it is transformed into a fluffy Christmas tree! His teenage son is less than impressed by how uncool his dad looks... In the next scene, his mum returns from Tesco and is transformed into a "snowmum" when she tastes it, leaving her son once more embarrassed. As everyone in town "becomes more Christmas", the teenager can't help but start to get interested, finding himself battling the Christmas tree growing on his skin. It takes a Christmas tree topper the boy made when he was little to remind him of the true joy of Christmas. No sooner has he touched it than he's transformed into a Christmas tree himself and he's ready to enjoy the run-up to the big day. Emma Botton, Group Customer Director, said: “We want our seasonal campaigns to reflect how our customers feel as we know there’s been even more anticipation ahead of festivities this year. Our Christmas Report revealed that, as early as September, nearly a quarter of the nation (24%) were already looking forward to celebrating Christmas more than usual. This year, our #BecomeMoreChristmas ad captures the emotions and excitement we feel, as we draw closer to the big day. "At Tesco, as Christmas approaches, we’re providing customers with all their festive favourites and some exciting twists, with quality and great value at the heart of it all. On behalf of Tesco, we wish you all a Merry Christmas.” John Lewis: Snapper - The Perfect Tree View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis pulled out all the stops for their remarkable Christmas advert 2023, which tells the tale of Snapper the Venus flytrap. The retail giant enlisted superstar tenor, Andrea Bocelli with an original song just for the campaign as well. The advert tells us to embrace new traditions after a young boy named Alfie aims to grow the perfect Christmas tree, only to discover that his seed grows a Venus flytrap. Nonetheless, he makes firm friends with his carnivorous plant, affectionately named Snapper, and sets about convincing his family to ditch their usual tree to make way for his new pal. But when Snapper almost snaps up the family dog, he's banished to the garden, only to paw at the window at his friend, Alfie. The family see and decide to give him another chance, as they all head outside to display their presents underneath him. It's all going well until Snapper chomps down on the gifts, only to reveal his secret talent - he can chew up packaging, dispose of it, and then give the right presents to the right people. With an explosion of confetti from the plant, Snapper is truly one Christmas character we'll remember for a long time. Charlotte Lock, Customer Director for John Lewis, says of the campaign: “We are a nation that loves the traditions of Christmas - from classic traditions like pantos and putting up the tree to evolving new ones like crafting our own presents and Zoom get-togethers. Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special. “The film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions and shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.” Asda: Make this Christmas Incredi-Bublé View oEmbed on the source website We had a teaser earlier in the week revealing Michael Bublé was the star of Asda's Christmas campaign, and now the supermarket has dropped the whole advert. Bublé takes up the role of Asda's Chief Quality Officer who is out to find the very best quality products for customers this Christmas - and he's relentless. The Canadian crooner can be seen measuring rows of chocolate and orange panettones and checking out Asda's brown butter and spiced dark rum mince pies among others. Bublé even gets to demand a "clean up on aisle five" - something he's "always wanted to do". Of course, he can't help but break into a little song with a store-front choir for a version of Walking in a Winter Wonderland. The fun advert was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi. Bublé said of the advert: “I love my relationship with the UK, and I’m the biggest fan of Christmas, so it was an honour to be asked to star in Asda’s Christmas advert this year. "Adopting the role of Chief Quality Officer, I took my responsibility very seriously, ensuring all product met the highest possible standards – naturally ensuring I had the joy of personally sampling them all - from Black Tiger Tempura Prawns, Truffle and Parmesan Pigs in Blankets to chocolate and Orange Panettone. "I believe Christmas is a time like no other, there's a special feeling in the air, a little more magic to be found, and even more excuses to put on a show with great tasting food.” Sainsbury's: Big Fella's Christmas Dinner View oEmbed on the source website Sainsbury's is asking the important questions this Christmas - what does Santa eat on the big day? After all, he must work up quite the appetite with all the work he does. The advert opens in store as a girl takes to the tannoy to ask a question about Santa - cue a series of awkward faces as they think they know what she's going to ask... She simply wonders what he wants for his dinner, leaving everyone in the shop (and Santa himself) relieved. We then cut around the store between staff and customers who all have an opinion on which dishes from the delicious festive range the Big Fella fancies. There's a surprise guest appearance from none other than pop icon Rick Astley, who asks if Santa wants some cheese. We always want some cheesy pop, Rick. As we cut to Santa, we see him with a table full of delicious food and it's safe to say, he'll have one of everything! Speaking about his surprise role, Astley said: "For me, food plays such an important part during the holidays and we’re always looking to bring something exciting to the Christmas dinner table whether that’s a new starter or a surprise showstopping dessert. "It was a real honour and so much fun to join the Sainsbury’s store team on the shoot – even if they did pull me up on my cheeseboard before dessert suggestion!" Boots: Thank You, Santa If Sainsbury's is feeding Santa, Boots is treating him, with its new campaign celebrating the art of gifting. The retailer's offering shows a young girl and her mum attempting to make a journey to the North Pole to show Santa just how much they appreciate everything he does. Armed with a Boots shopping bag filled with gifts, they give out presents to different people they meet along their way, with everything from Benefit Volumizing Mascara to a Dyson Airwrap! By the time they reach Santa, they've got just one gift left - and it's perfect for his busy night delivering presents. It's Boots Travel Flight Socks! Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, said: "At Boots, we want to help customers to celebrate the people who deserve to be appreciated; family, friends, colleagues, or anyone in the local community who has made a difference to their lives this year. "Christmas is the perfect time to express our gratitude to others and with our extensive range of great value gifts and amazing offers, Boots really does have something to help make everyone in your life feel valued this Christmas." Morrisons: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Morrisons has gone all out in celebrating the trusty oven glove in its 2023 Christmas advert. Yes, you read that correctly. In the fun advert, to the tune of Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, oven gloves unite for a spot of lip syncing, proving they're always there to help with the festive preparations - just like Morrisons is. The simple advert is sure to inspire some to make their own versions of it, which Morrisons is actively calling for - take part in the #GloveOke challenge on TikTok and join in on the fun! Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: "This Christmas - and every Christmas - great British food should be the star of the show and so our ad showcases Morrisons brilliant Christmas range. But there's always a lot to do when preparing the big Christmas meal and some classic 1980s power ballad encouragement is clearly in order. "And so we've made the trusty oven glove the tuneful cheerleaders of the nation's Christmas chefs and we hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. Nothing's gonna stop us making this Christmas the best for our customers." Watch the Morrisons Christmas advert now. Lidl: A Magical Christmas Lidl has released its adorable Christmas advert for 2023 featuring a gorgeous raccoon. The advert reminds people about the power of small gestures and is tied in with the return of the retailer's Toy Bank which saw 80,000 toys donated to children who may not have received a gift otherwise. In the clip, a little boy is sad when his favourite monkey decoration is broken so his mum heads to Lidl where she sees a cuddly toy monkey that's sure to cheer up her son. However, she drops it - but her accident is spotted by the raccoon, who then sets off on a mission to take it to the boy, crossing the city by any means possible. Thankfully the monkey gets there in time for Christmas Day, and everyone is happy. Peter de Roos, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, says of the campaign: “At Christmas, there’s nothing more magical than seeing the joy a gift can bring to a child, and we want to help make sure this joy reaches all families. “Our hope is that by bringing back the toy donation points we are making it easier, for those customers who can, to donate directly to local good causes by giving them a small way to make a real difference and help those that need it the most." Barbour: Shaun the Sheep x Baa-bour View oEmbed on the source website North East lifestyle brand Barbour have once more teamed up with a beloved animation for their Christmas advert in 2023. Last year, Paddington was the star of the show, and this time it's Shaun the Sheep! Barbour worked with Aardman on a stop motion film for the festive season, which is all about bringing new life into a beloved wax jacket. The farmer's jacket is well and truly worn after countless hours spent in it keeping him warm. Shaun, along with Bitzer and the Flock decide to repair his coat for Christmas, and while it doesn't go well, it's the thought that counts, right? Bitzer saves Christmas when he clicks his fingers and the farmer's original jacket is restored back to life by the experts over at the Barbour factory. Paul Wilkinson, Group Commercial Director of Barbour said: “This Christmas, we wanted to demonstrate the importance of extending the life of our garments and we’ve been able to achieve this through our partnership with Aardman. Working with Shaun the Sheep and his friends, we’ve created a light hearted and engaging film that we hope will make people smile this festive season. With a Barbour wax jacket, age is no limitation and through our Wax for Life initiative, globally every year over 73,000 of our wax jackets are returned to be re-waxed or repaired. A Barbour jacket is like an old friend – it becomes part of your life and part of your shared experiences and memories. By using our re-waxing and repairs service, your jacket can last for a long time continuing to give many years of faithful service and most importantly, reducing its impact on the environment.” Rachael Peacock, Senior Brand Manager at Aardman added: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with such an iconic British brand, whose company values are so well aligned with our own. Shaun the Sheep’s ‘One Farm’ initiative challenges ewe to look after the planet, and Barbour’s services are a perfect example of how families can extend the life of their belongings. “Our creative team had so much fun bringing the magic of Christmas back to Mossy Bottom Farm, and with his Barbour jacket the Farmer has become a style icon! We can’t wait to bring a smile to families around the world with this wonderful campaign.” TK Maxx: Festive Farm View oEmbed on the source website TK Maxx has unveiled its fun Christmas advert for 2023, and it's set on a very fabulous farm. As Eve and Gwen Stefani's Let Me Blow Ya Mind plays in the background, a stylist alpaca emerges with a crossbody bag and chic green rollneck. It's swiftly followed by a pair of ducks who have clearly taken inspiration from Harry Styles and are rocking pearls, a silk scarf and a lovely bow tie. A hedgehog rocks a pom-pom hat which looks oh-so-snugly, and then a familiar face from TK Maxx's 2020 Christmas advert makes a welcome return to screens - lil' goat arrives in a red beret! The farmer wonders why all the farm animals are rocking designer outfits, wondering if they were still keeping Christmas "small", to which Jean replies, "Oh, I did, love." We think Jean did very well indeed! Waitrose: It's Time for the Good Stuff Waitrose are throwing the ultimate party in their Christmas advert, which features a guest appearance from Graham Norton. The fun and upbeat advert shows almost everything that can go wrong at a Christmas party, including people turning up too early, guests getting locked in the bathroom, a power cut and unexpected arrivals! Whatever happens, though, Waitrose's delicious festive offerings will help cover over any mistakes, so people can get back to the fun of Christmas. Depeche Mode's Just Can't Get Enough serves as the soundtrack in this amusing advert. Graham Norton said of his guest role: "What a treat it was to be invited to such a fun party and to feature in this joyful Christmas campaign with Waitrose. "It was quite a night, and after sampling so many delicious products from the festive range, I’ve got my order in already for the big day – because it’s Christmas, and it’s time for the good stuff. Now, is it too early to cut into another Golden Bûche de Noël?" Watch the Waitrose Christmas advert now. Disney: A Wish for the Holidays Disney's launched its super sweet advert which focuses on the power of wishing. It's the company's first live-action festive advert, and takes inspiration rom the upcoming movie, Wish. Grammy Award-winning director Meji Alabi has brought the magical piece to life, which tells the stories of six families and friends from across the globe who all have one wish - to be with their loved ones during the Holiday seasons. It features the iconic Disney song, A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes, and the opening line is performed by Ariana DeBose, before talented young performers from across the world take their turn in singing different lines. Disney has partnered with Make A Wish for the special advert. Director Alabi said: "I feel lucky to have collaborated with such a diverse group of people on Disney’s holiday campaign this year. There were so many stand-out moments for me during the filming, but I think the most memorable was watching the South African kids choir sing their lines. It truly gave me goosebumps." Watch the Disney Christmas advert 2023 now. Sports Direct: Dream Big Sports Direct certainly dreamt big for their Christmas offering - and they achieved it. The star-studded advert is a who's-who of sporting giants, and is directed by Fred Again's creative director. It follows Little Legend Macy, who has one dream - to become the best sports star in the whole world this Christmas. As she goes into the child's imagination, we see them stop a goal from Alessia Russo before being congratulated by Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale, among many other sporting moments. At the end of the advert, as the little child wakes up from their dream, striker Gabriel Jesus knocks on the door with a gift for them. The video also contains Mason Mount, Lauren Hemp, Eberechi Eze, James Maddison, Eddie Nketiah, Johnny Fisher, Conor Benn and Zharnel Hughes. Watch the Sports Direct Christmas 2023 advert. Bailey's: Symphony of Indulgence If you thought Michael Bublé was the face of Christmas, think again - it's Hannah Waddingham this year. The Ted Lasso actress is appearing in her second advert of the holiday season, this time for Bailey's (the first was for Marks & Spencer). Waddingham leads the MOBO Awards performers Gold Vocal Collective, and as their song comes to an end, she regains their attention with a cheeky grin as she asks, "Bailey's?" The choir sing a short a capella song as the Bailey's Choc-tail is made, which looks quite simply delicious. Watch the Bailey's Christmas 2023 advert. Asda: Pop the Bublé! Michael Bublé and Asda have declared it's Christmas - so we must listen. The crooner, who is perhaps best known for his Christmas albums, appears as Asda's new colleague in a fun 60-second teaser. The full advert is still to come, but in this reveal, Asda colleagues are getting their stores ready for Christmas, with a sneak peek at some of their products you can expect to see on the shelves. But they're distracted by a gargling noise - and head to investigate. They see a door, containing an embargo date of 1st November 2023... like anyone else, they head to open it. Behind, they see the Canadian singer in his trademark suit, belting out the opening line from It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas. Talking to the camera, Bublé asks, "Shall we?" before walking off camera as the intriguing words "to be continued" pop up on screen. The teaser premiered on ITV at 9:40am on 1st November during Good Morning Britain. Asda's full Christmas advert will launch just a couple of days later, on 4th November. David Hills, Asda’s chief customer officer, said: "At Asda, we absolutely love Christmas, and this year we’re once again on a mission to bring that warm, festive feeling to households across the UK. "Today, we’re putting the speculation to rest and confirming that the legend that is Michael Bublé is partnering with us this Christmas to put on a show-stopping performance. "With Bublé’s undeniable ability to spread seasonal smiles and our commitment to quality, at great value, we’re a match made in heaven, proving Asda is a one-stop-shop for families seeking magic this Christmas." Watch the Asda Christmas advert 2023 teaser now. M&S: Love Thismas, Not Thatmas M&S has joined Asda and gone early with their Christmas advert - and they've pulled all the stars together for the special video. Directed by Ally Pankiw (famous for Feel Good and Black Mirror), the sparkly ad celebrates the honest truth of Christmas, where we have to strike the balance between doing things we want to do, and doing things we have to do. M&S invites people to embrace only those things we love doing at Christmas and making the festive season best for them. The campaign starts at Hannah Waddingham's fictional home, where she sits down to make a kid's costume for a school production - a feeling many will resonate with! We then see Tan France decorating his stylish tree, with the gorgeous addition of a homemade tree topper. Zawe Ashton is then seen having fun in the living room with her loved ones, trying to do some charades. And finally, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is decorating an elaborate gingerbread house, when her eyes turn to the pile of unwritten Christmas cards... With fire in her eyes, she sets them alight as a cover of Meatloaf's I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) by Ray BLK plays in the background. Ashton sets a home-run by batting an Elf on the Shelf across the town, France throws a board game in a fish tank and Waddingham piles crackers into a woodchipper as gold remnants rain down above her. Speaking about her starring role in the ad, Waddingham said: "I love the build-up to Christmas and all the magic and sparkle that comes with it! If I'm perfectly honest, I'd be happy to start it all in November! "Getting glammed up and spending time with loved ones and family is something I look forward to the most, so filming this campaign really got me in the festive spirit. M&S is always my go-to destination for picking up Christmas gifts and let's not forget the foooood! So being involved in the campaign has been so special and a great pleasure." Anna Braithwaite, M&S clothing & home marketing director, added: "I’m sure everyone watching our ad will be able to relate to our fabulous cast of talent who so hilariously bring to life those little moments and dilemmas we all have at Christmas time! "Before we created Love Thismas (Not Thatmas), we spoke to hundreds of our customers and they all told us that, at Christmas, they feel this pressure of having to worry about and plan so many things. We know it can often feel like the list is never-ending, so this year we decided to celebrate and empower our customers to just do the things they love." Watch the M&S Christmas advert 2023 now. Shelter: Good as Gold Housing and homelessness charity Shelter has launched a powerful Christmas film, titled Good as Gold. The advert follows Maddy, an eight-year-old who overhears a woman in the Post Office tell another girl that if she's as good as gold, she'll get what she wants for Christmas. Maddy then starts on a heartwarming mission to help others and try to be as "good as gold" as possible to get her one wish - a home - which unfortunately doesn't come true for her this year. Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter, said: "There are now over 131,000 homeless children stuck in temporary accommodation, the highest number recorded. "This advert brings to life what it really means for a child to have nowhere to call home. Make no mistake: a cramped hostel room or a run-down bedsit is not a home, but this is where far too many children will be waking up on Christmas morning. "As we head into winter, Shelter is doing everything we can to help the thousands of families facing homelessness this Christmas. Our expert advisers are working in communities across the country, they are taking calls at our emergency helpline and they are providing free, expert case work. "But as more people turn to Shelter, we need the public to help those wishing for a home. By giving what you can, we can support thousands of families facing homelessness this winter." If you want to donate to Shelter, head to its website. Watch the Shelter Christmas advert 2023 now. Very: Let's Make It Sparkle Online retailer Very has launched a fun and sparkly animation for its Christmas campaign in 2023. The very aptly-named Let's Make It Sparkle does just that, as we follow three flamboyant flamingoes who ooze positivity and joy, called Cherry, Kerry and Terry. They travel round a dreary cityscape to deliver Christmas joy to everyone, as their pink boxes filled with Very gifts explode with sparkle and cheer. The advert also boasts a remastered version of Girls Aloud's Merry Xmas Everybody. Jessica Myers, chief marketing officer at Very, said: "We know Very customers are as imaginative and enthusiastic about everyday moments as they are about Christmas, and we want to celebrate and enable that sense of joy and fun all year round as part of our commitment to our purpose; helping families get more out of life. "Let’s Make It Sparkle brings that spirit to life brilliantly, and we’re so excited for the opportunities this new creative platform will open up in 2024 and beyond." Watch the Very Christmas advert 2023 now. Argos: Dancer Connie and Trevor have returned to Argos for their latest Christmas advert, which showcases the fun of gifting, and the range of options available at the retailer. The dancing doll rocks out to Le Freak by Chic as she dances across a packed table full of everything from a coffee machine to a hairdryer to a cocktail shaker, all while Trevor the dinosaur films her. Connie asks if Trevor got all of that footage, and it's then revealed the silly dinosaur had his camera on selfie mode, thus actually filming none of Connie's routine. Laura Boothby, head of campaigns at Argos, said: "There was no better way to show off what you can find at Argos this Christmas than bringing back our loveable and family-friendly characters Connie and Trevor. "In a festive-themed adventure, the dynamic duo spotlight just a few of the incredible products our customers can buy this Christmas, and bring them to life in a witty and playful way – igniting the Christmas joy our customers can find at Argos." Watch the Argos Christmas advert 2023 now. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Who sings the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 song? Artist confirmed
John Lewis has finally unveiled its highly anticipated Christmas advert for 2023, their first with advertising giants, Saatchi & Saatchi. Titled Snapper: The Perfect Tree, the cute advert shows how new traditions can be made if we embrace them this holiday. When Alfie tries to grow a new the perfect Christmas tree, he's surprised to discover it's actually a Venus flytrap! But with a lot of love and attention, Alfie learns that his plant is very special indeed and has to convince his family to ditch the Christmas tree and embrace Snapper instead. The advert has a very special song behind it, from none other than Maestro Andrea Bocelli! Without further ado, read on to find out more about the song and artist in the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023. READ MORE: Best Christmas adverts 2023 John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked: from Monty to Moz Who sings the John Lewis Christmas advert song? View oEmbed on the source website Operatic superstar Andrea Bocelli performs the song for the John Lewis Christmas advert. The song was written just for the John Lewis Christmas advert and was written and produced by Le Feste Antonacci, with lyrics approved by Bocelli. Speaking of his role in the advert, Bocelli said: “I am delighted to take part in this wonderful and unique tradition of Christmas storytelling. It is very special for me given the great support this will bring to both the John Lewis and Andrea Bocelli foundations. Joy to all of your worlds this Christmas!" What is the song in this year's John Lewis Christmas advert? The John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 song is Festa, a special composition written just for the campaign. The title means "party" or "celebration" in Italian and was written by Le Feste Antonacchi just to match this sweet advert. Usually, John Lewis will put out a cover by a well-known artist, so this is certainly a surprise to see a new song just for the occasion. What's more, the soundtrack will be released in a longer form charity single, with a proportion of proceeds going to the John Lewis Partnership's Building Happier Futures charities, which aims to help care-experienced young people and families. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
John Lewis Christmas advert 2023: Meet Snapper the flytrap
Finally we know who the real star of the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 is - and it's a plant. Snapper: The Perfect Tree was released on 9th November 2023 and shows the unexpected friendship between a young boy called Alfie and his Venus flytrap, called Snapper. The advert encourages us to embrace new traditions, even if they're a little strange to us, because Christmas will still be Christmas after all. The campaign, which is the first from Saatchi & Saatchi, comes with a full range of accompanying products, including an adorable plush toy version of Snapper himself. What's more, Snapper isn't the only star of the advert, with Andrea Bocelli providing the soundtrack on what's sure to be a very popular campaign this Christmas. Without further ado, read on for all you need to know about Snapper: The Perfect Tree. When was the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 released? As we predicted, the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 was released on Thursday 9th November 2023. You can watch it here: View oEmbed on the source website Last year, John Lewis released its advert on Thursday 10th November. Since 2014, the retail giant has put out its offering in the first or second week of November, and almost always on a Thursday. What is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023 about? While speculation was rife about what the advert would contain, no one could expect it to be about a Venus flytrap. A young boy, called Alfie, stumbles upon the kit to grow the perfect Christmas tree, so he puts it to the test. But when it sprouts, he discovers it's not a Christmas tree at all - it's a Venus flytrap. Nonetheless, Alfie falls in love with his carnivorous plant and the pair go out of their way to convince his family to ditch the usual tree in favour of Snapper. His family don't quite have the same fondness they have, especially when the family pooch nearly finds itself in Snapper's mouth and the plant's sadly cast outside. Enter the gut-wrenching scene where Snapper paws at the window, longing to be with his friend. The family realise he's quite special indeed and decide to bring presents outside to him for him to guard. But he ends up eating them in a comical moment - only to reveal he can munch up the packaging and deliver the right gifts to the right people! How handy. Charlotte Lock, Customer Director for John Lewis, said of the advert: “We are a nation that loves the traditions of Christmas - from classic traditions like pantos and putting up the tree to evolving new ones like crafting our own presents and Zoom get-togethers. Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special. “The film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions and shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.” Who sings on the John Lewis Christmas advert 2023? Remarkably, John Lewis managed to enlist Andrea Bocelli to sing on the John Lewis Christmas advert. The song is an original composition, made just for the campaign, and is called "Festa", which translates as "party" or "celebration" in Italian. Unlike other years, the song is fast and rousing (with a touching moment in the middle), and truly captures the joy and excitement of Christmas. Bocelli said of his involvement in the advert: “I am delighted to take part in this wonderful and unique tradition of Christmas storytelling. It is very special for me given the great support this will bring to both the John Lewis and Andrea Bocelli foundations. Joy to all of your worlds this Christmas!" Furthermore, the soundtrack will be released in a fuller form single, with a proportion of the proceeds from the sale of the single going to the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures charities, which help care-experienced young people and families in need. READ MORE: Best Christmas adverts 2022: from John Lewis and Sainsbury's to Asda John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked: from Monty to Moz What was last year's John Lewis Christmas advert about? There was much speculation about the contents of the John Lewis Christmas advert 2022, but no one managed to guess it in the end. The campaign last year centred around children in care, and is about how small acts of kindness can go a long way for a vulnerable child. In the advert, titled The Beginning, a middle-aged man is on a mission to learn how to skateboard. He spends weeks trying to get to learn the difficult skill - and suffers some bumps and scrapes along the way! It’s revealed at the end of the advert what his hard work was all about. Along with his partner, he was expecting the arrival of a foster child, Ellie, who loves to skateboard. The retailer brought out some merchandise with a portion of the sales going to charities relating to children in care. The advert's song was a reimagined version of Blink-182's hit All the Small Things, performed by Mike Geier. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
John Lewis launches Christmas advert starring Snapper the Venus flytrap
Who'd have thought a carnivorous plant could be so cute?
John Lewis has finally unveiled its Christmas advert for 2023, and it's a good one, starring Snapper the Venus flytrap. The advert shows a young boy called Alfie who wishes to grow the perfect Christmas tree (as we saw in the retailer's teaser) but instead grows a Venus flytrap which looks like one instead! After nurturing the seed, Alfie soon discovers it isn't a Christmas tree at all, but a carnivorous plant - but he loves it anyway. View oEmbed on the source website The advert follows the usual John Lewis montage format where Alfie and Snapper prepare for Christmas, with the latter donning a golden star. While Alfie loves Snapper dearly, his family doesn't quite understand the appeal and asks him to ditch the tree, preferring the usual style. Read more: Best Christmas adverts 2023 Amazon Christmas ad to launch with The Beatles cover song Alfie isn't very happy (of course he isn't, after all the work he's put in), and the sentiment of the advert comes from Snapper resting a little hand on the window glass while looking at his friend. Who could resist after that? The family pour outside and put their presents under Snapper's feet. If that wasn't fun enough, the plant then shows he's got a trick up his sleeve - he can chew up packaging and spit out presents! We'll have two. (In fact, head over to John Lewis right now where you can purchase your very own Snapper!) This year's advert contains an operatic song, Festa (which translates as "party" in English), and is performed by none other than Andrea Bocelli. The song was written just for this advert, so it's a special one indeed. Charlotte Lock, Customer Director for John Lewis, said of the advert: “We are a nation that loves the traditions of Christmas - from classic traditions like pantos and putting up the tree to evolving new ones like crafting our own presents and Zoom get-togethers. Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special. “The film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions and shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.” Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Hannah Waddingham stars in trailer for Apple TV+ Christmas extravaganza
Waddinham will be joined on stage with Sam Ryder in one performance.
Hannah Waddingham dazzles in the all-new holiday event, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas. Apple have released the full trailer for the Ted Lasso star's Christmas special, in which she brings the house down with various musical performances of Christmas classics we all know and love. The festive special will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Wednesday 22nd November. Recorded live at The Coliseum in London, the one-hour special will feature Waddingham alongside other musical greats, including Eurovision's Sam Ryder, Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr and some of her Ted Lasso co-stars. The trailer shows a black cab driving down the streets of London, which have been lit up with Christmas lights, with Hannah Waddingham exiting wearing a white cape before greeting those in the audience. "Merry Christmas, everybody! Welcome to my festive extravaganza," Waddingham says to the crowd as she kicks off the show. With extraordinary outfit changes and iconic Christmas hits, Waddingham puts on an evening to remember. You can watch the trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Joining Waddinham on stage will also be Luke Evans, Phil Dunster and even more special guests, with performers from the English National Opera, the London Gay Men's Chorus, The Fabulous Lounge Swingers and an 18-piece band. As well as the performance, fans are in for a treat as a live soundtrack will also be available on music streaming platforms on Wednesday 22nd November. View Green Video on the source website Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas will be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Wednesday 22nd November. Looking for something to watch? Visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Amazon Christmas ad to launch with The Beatles cover song
Amazon has released an advert celebrating enduring friendship and shared moments of joy.
Amazon has kicked off its 2023 Christmas campaign with an advert featuring a cover of the well known The Beatles’ song In My Life. Titled Joy Ride, the 60-second advert features three older women reliving their youth and celebrating their decades-long friendship while sledging – all thanks to a bit of spontaneity and the Amazon shopping app. Set against an instrumental rendition of In My Life played by a 40-piece orchestra, the film begins with the trio sitting on a bench and looking wistfully at at a number of youths racing down a hill in the local park. When one of the women sees her two friends watching the scene wistfully, she pulls out the Amazon shopping app on her mobile phone and adds padded seat cushions to her basket. The next day, the delivery arrives, and the friends are presented with the presents and are baffled – until, that is, the leader of the group encourages them to put their cushions in their sledges and follow her down the slope. Laughter, cheers and a flashback to their youth spent together on the same hill ensue, before the advert ends with the trio turning to pull their sledges back up the hill - and go all over again. You can watch in full below. View oEmbed on the source website The advert will debut on ITV on Monday evening (6th November), during the first ad-break of Coronation Street at 8pm GMT. “This year’s Christmas campaign is inspired by our Amazon customers and their thoughtful ideas and traditions,” said Jo Shoesmith, VP Global CCO, Amazon. “The stories we tell serve as a reminder that sometimes the joy you receive from doing something special, for those you love, can uplift us all at this time of year. We also wanted to give these wonderful women the chance to celebrate the different facets of themselves and how they express joy, regardless of their age.” Ed Smith, GM of EU Integrated Marketing at Amazon, added: “The festive season is a time when people revel in traditions, past memories and embrace their inner-child. "We recognise that many customers may still be feeling the impact of economic uncertainty this year and that is why we’ve focused on the joy of shared experiences in our new Christmas campaign. If Amazon can play a small part in helping customers share that joy, then we will be delighted.” Read more: Michael Bublé heralds the start of Christmas in festive ASDA advert John Lewis Christmas advert 2023: When will festive ad be released? M&S apologises after new Christmas advert controversy Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Entertainment hub for the latest news. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Michael Bublé heralds the start of Christmas in festive ASDA advert
The crooner is heard singing It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas in the clip.
Early November might seem a little too early to start getting into the festive spirit, but Asda has just released its first Christmas advert for 2023. The minute-long clip sees crooner Michael Bublé declaring the start of the Christmas period by singing a famous festive hit to a group of employees at the supermarket, after they find him behind a mysterious door. The video begins with one of the staff members seemingly boring his colleagues with a story about his childhood cats, before a calendar flicks to the 1st November - and almost instantly a strange gurgling sound is heard. "What is that?" asks one employee, with another querying, "Is it the air con unit again?" and a third adding, "Shall I call building services?" They go to investigate and find a very festive-looking scene – complete with a giant Christmas cracker and fairy lights galore – and they soon start to peruse a variety of Yuletide goodies on sale at the supermarket. All the while, the mysterious noise from earlier in the clip continues to grow louder, with the staff soon following it to a door that reads: "MB inside. Do not open til 1.11.23." When they open the door, they emerge into a dark room before a spotlight shines on Bublé himself as he begins singing It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas in his trademark voice. The trailer ends with a card bearing the slogan: "Pop the Bublé, it's officially Christmas." You can watch it in full below. View oEmbed on the source website The teaser will make its TV premiere this morning during Good Morning Britain, while the supermarket has also promised that "the best is yet to come" with the debut of a longer 90-second "showstopping" Christmas advert on 4th November. Asda's chief customer officer David Hills said: "At Asda, we absolutely love Christmas, and this year we’re once again on a mission to bring that warm, festive feeling to households across the UK. "Today, we’re putting the speculation to rest and confirming that the legend that is Michael Bublé is partnering with us this Christmas to put on a showstopping performance. "With Bublé’s undeniable ability to spread seasonal smiles and our commitment to quality at great value, we’re a match made in heaven, proving Asda is a one-stop-shop for families seeking magic this Christmas." Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Entertainment hub for the latest news. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Best Christmas adverts 2022: from John Lewis and Sainsbury's to Asda
The only round-up you need this festive season.
Following the release of the John Lewis Christmas advert 2022, we've just about had all Christmas adverts we can expect this year. The likes of John Lewis, McDonalds and O2 have charity angles, with all pledging to help those in need at Christmas. Alongside John Lewis’ highly-anticipated advert, other retailers have also pulled out all the stops, with Asda’s proving very popular at the moment owing to the inclusion of Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf. And as ever, we've had the return of Kevin the Carrot in Aldi's Home Alone-inspired advert. We’ve helpfully rounded up the best Christmas adverts below - read on to see the best in 2022. Best Christmas adverts 2022 Aldi: Home Alone View oEmbed on the source website Kevin the Carrot is back for another exciting adventure this Christmas, but it's a little closer to home this time around. In Aldi's exciting advert for the 2022 season, the Carrot family are ready to go on holiday to Paris, and just as they settle in for their flight, they realise someone's missing: Kevin! Kevin meanwhile, is at the house having his own Home Alone style capers until he's finally reunited with his family after outwitting the burglars. It's gone down well with TV viewers who think it's a fun take on Christmas adverts. McDonald's: The List View oEmbed on the source website McDonald's has produced one of the most touching Christmas adverts of the season with The List. A little boy, named Alfie sets about making his Christmas list when he sees a little girl and her father playing out with a bike. Alfie starts to make a massive Christmas list while his mum sets about ticking things off hers. He sets about delivering his list to the post, but a gust of wind whisks it out of his hand and into the sky. Devastated, Alfie and his mum takes him to McDonald's for some food. When they leave, he reveals what was on his list, and he has one wish left in his pocket - a drawing of him and his family together. The advert has star power behind it and is directed by Tom Hooper, the Oscar winning director behind The King's Speech. Becky Hill provides a rendition of Only You. O2: The Snowgran View oEmbed on the source website A snow-woman dressed in the style of a grandmother is feeling quite left-out this Christmas, watching everyone together and having fun at Christmas. One uniting feature is that they're all looking over phones, but the Snowgran feels left out. That is until little girl Billie and O2's Bubl character head to her door to give her a Christmas card and an all-important present - an O2 Christmas SIM card to help her reconnect. Snowgran starts to thaw having received the gift of connectivity and we see she isn't really a snow-woman at all, but she's a woman who's been feeling lonely over Christmas. To accompany the campaign, O2 will be gifting an additional one million GB of data to those in need of data. They are also creating bespoke Christmas SIM cards which customers can gift to loved ones who may be feeling disconnected. John Lewis: The Beginning View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis’ Christmas advert in 2022 centres around small acts of kindness and effort that can go a long way. Their campaign this year centres around a foster family, who are about to welcome a new child in care to their home. The child loves to skateboard, so her new foster father sets about learning the tricky skill in a bid to help her fit into her new home. Viewers then see a series of calamitous tumbles and scrapes as he continuously tries to master skateboarding. Finally, just moments before Ellie arrives at her new home, he makes a breakthrough - though not without some war wounds along the way! Ellie softens as she spots her new foster father’s skateboard as well as his poorly arm and agrees to enter their home. The moving offering is accompanied by a reimagining of Blink 182’s hit song, All the Small Things. As for who sings the John Lewis Christmas advert 2022 song, that’s Mike Geier. M&S: Gifts That Give Pop sensation Harry Styles performs the soundtrack for Marks and Spencer's clothes and home Christmas advert. In the retailer's second offering (the first being for their Food Halls), Styles' hit Treat People With Kindness from his second album plays over a sweet opening with a little boy counting down the seconds until he can give his parents the perfect Christmas gift. Throughout the advert, various different people receive thoughtful and lovely gifts which brightens up their Christmas no end. When they get a gift, they find themselves wrapped up in the festivities featuring singers, trumpets and a big party! The neighbourhood scene features an eclectic range of people who are supported by M&S donations every year - this time, M&S will donate £1 million to local community groups via Neighbourly. Anna Braithwaite, M&S Clothing & Home Marketing Director, said: "Christmas is a time that brings families and communities together and we know customers are determined to protect those celebrations. Through our campaign and product ranges we want to help make that possible; providing much needed funds to the incredible groups that light up our local communities and by doubling down to deliver the exceptional trusted value our customers want – as they seek out more considered, stylish and thoughtful gifts. There’ really is no better feeling than giving – and we hope this, feel-good campaign puts a smile on our customers’ faces this festive season!" Watch the M&S Christmas advert JD Sports: King of the Game JD Sports has dropped a star-studded advert for its 2022 Christmas campaign, featuring plenty of heroes from the world of sports and entertainment. The advert aims to celebrate the spirit of competition and the magic of Christmas in one go, with JD providing you all you need to perform or compete on the biggest stages. Cole Wealleans-Watts leads the advert as he goes shopping with his family in JD when he spots Chunkz, who asks him to step inside the JD Arcade. Once inside, he runs into KSI and Tobi Brown on the dance machine who are trying to take on Ethan Matthews and Laurie Elle. And when Cole heads to the claw machine, he bumps into Liverpool FC and England superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold and Top Boy's Jasmine Jobson. On top of those names, Anthony Joshua, Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly, Harvey Elliot, James Maddison, Thiago Silva, Virgil van Dijk, Central Cee, Ms Banks, Kano, Snoochie Shy, Joanna Chimonides and Amelia Dimoldenberg are all guest stars in the clip. Watch JD Sports' Christmas advert Tesco: Stand Up For Joy Tesco’s brand new festive advert encourages people to ‘stand up for joy’ despite the cost of living crisis and celebrate in style, no matter. Featuring a broadcast by The Christmas Party, the ad points out many who are struggling with their finances but getting festive nevertheless. Set to the soundtrack of Europe’s The Final Countdown, the ad also addresses some important Christmas questions, such as what are the best Christmas movies. Speaking about the message of the ad, which includes Tesco colleagues from across the country, Alessandra Bellini, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco, said: “It’s very important that our seasonal campaigns reflect how our customers genuinely feel and what we know they are looking for." She added: "We understand that it is a tough time at the moment with everyone’s finances under pressure, but we also know that people are looking forward to Christmas – in fact our research shows that there is even more excitement around it than usual. “This is why we decided to officially stand up for joy this Christmas. Through our campaign, we take a look at those moments during the festive period that unite us all – including the delight of eating delicious desserts, sitting around a table together with loved ones, movie nights in our pjs and even the inevitable confusion around bin day - to put a smile on people’s faces as we prepare for a season of meaningful celebrations. “We want to help everyone enjoy the best bits of Christmas, no matter their budget, and so we’ve also included just some of our many little helps that will make your money go further. From us all at Tesco, we wish you a very merry Christmas.” Watch Tesco's Christmas advert Barbour: One of a Kind-ness Fashion brand, Barbour, has released its adorable Christmas advert, One of a Kind-ness, starring none other than Paddington Bear. In the sweet advert, Paddington wonders what gift he should buy for his neighbour, Mr Curry, who's a bit of a Scrooge during the festive period. The bear stumbles upon a Barbour store which is selling one-of-a-kind re-loved jackets - the perfect gift for a unique neighbour. The advert took over 3,000 hours to complete with Paddington also sharing a sweet tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Watch the Barbour Christmas advert Boots: Joy For All It's A Sin actress Lydia West brings the star power in this fun and festive offering from Boots. West plays Holly, who stumbles upon some very special glasses while on her way home from work. When she puts them on, she is able to see what brings everyone joy at Christmas - whether it's her co-worker who loves a pamper in the bath, or her brother who dreams of being a glam drag queen, this insight allows Holly to purchase the most perfect gifts for her loved ones. At the end of the clip, it's revealed the glasses have a very special owner - none other than Santa Claus himself. Watch the Boots Christmas advert Sainsbury's: Once Upon a Pud Bow down as Queen Alison Hammond has arrived, starring as The Countess in Sainsbury's Christmas advert. This one's sure to be a hit on social media as the beloved This Morning presenter shows off her comedy skills in this hilarious video which also stars Stephen Fry as the narrator. The Countess is preparing for her annual festive banquet, but there's one thing she hates: Christmas pudding. That is, until one plucky chef takes it upon himself to change her mind about the festive favourite. He prepares a delicious offering - which will be available in Sainsbury's shops - and the new flavours win over The Countess who is delighted to have her banquet go off without a hitch. Watch the Sainsbury's Christmas advert Lidl: The Story of Lidl Bear Lidl has gone for cuteness-overload for their Christmas advert this year. The supermarket's video tells the story of Lidl Bear, who gets his very own version of the infamous Lidl jumper when his owner's dad shrinks it in the wash. And thus, a star is born, as Lidl Bear finds himself propelled into the limelight and away from his family. When fame and fortune become too much, and tabloid headlines follow him around, he chooses instead to return to his little girl owner just in time for Christmas. Those hoping to buy their own Lidl Bear sadly won't be able to - he's one of a kind. But, they will be able to donate toys to Lidl which will go to those in need over this festive period. Watch Lidl's Christmas 2022 advert Asda: Have your Elf a Merry Christmas View oEmbed on the source website Asda pulled out all the stops this Christmas with the arrival of Buddy the Elf, played by Will Ferrell! The fun and very festive advert features some clips from the original Elf film and newly-filmed footage. The advert, which is sure to be very popular, is set to Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and is full of references to the original 2003 movie. Buddy has been brought in to help Asda in the busy period up to Christmas, and while he's full of festive cheer, his enthusiasm might get him in a spot of trouble... but by the end of the advert which features lots of enticing products Asda has to offer, Buddy wins everyone round with his over-the-top and simply wonderful decorations. Matalan: The Christmas Cupboard Department store, Matalan has revealed its Narnia-style advert for Christmas 2022, called The Christmas Cupboard. Step inside the magical wardrobe and you'll find pretty much everything you need for yourself, your friends and your family this festive season. The leading lady mentally checks off her to-do list while ensuring she's got everything from fancy dinnerwear to simple gift tags to make her Christmas perfect. Matalan's omnichannel marketing director, Jeff Howarth, said: “This year as the country feels the economic strain, we know many people will be extremely price conscious and will be managing their Christmas budgets wisely. Matalan is famous for great value and choice and plays a particularly important role for UK households at Christmas and we wanted to capture the excitement of this special seasonal time - which we believe this year’s campaign does perfectly.” Watch the Matalan Christmas advert Morrisons: Farmer Christmas Morrisons finds itself approved by Farmer Christmas in their pun-tastic Christmas offering, which also features many of the supermarket's own employees throughout. Travelling across fields to his festive workshop, Morrisons' elves are hard at work preparing delicious food using quality produce. Speaking about the advert, Morrisons' Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, Rachel Eyre, said: "We know that customers are having to manage their budgets closely at the moment but they have told us they don’t want to compromise on the Christmas meal. We’ve brought Farmer Christmas back this year to show them the food and great prices that, thanks to Morrisons foodmakers and farmers, will be available throughout the festive period, all stamped with his seal of approval.” Watch the Morrisons Christmas advert Sports Direct: Give Me Football Give Me Football is well and truly a star-studded affair, especially if you love football. Throughout not one, not two, but three 20 second offerings, Sports Direct parodies different types of adverts for products such as perfume, a family dinner, and a smart home hub, but the tying theme is Eric Cantona whispering "football" in each one. In "Eau de Footie", Mason Mount and Cantona get up close and personal with a football boot, and the very smell of it (don't worry, it's new), transports them right to the pitch. In "Family Dinner", turkey's off the menu as Cantona heads up a star-studded table made up of Thierry Henry, Emma Hayes, Gabriel Jesus and a very special appearance from iconic commentator, Clive Tyldesley. And finally, in "Directa", a mother ask what the weather will be like for her two boys, who just so turn out to be Jarred Bowen and Declan Rice. Cantona of course pops up to tell them it's perfect weather for football. It's a pretty bizarre offering, to be honest, but we guarantee it will make you laugh, if not only for the Tyldesley interruption. Watch the Sports Direct Christmas advert Disney: The Gift Disney has released the final instalment of its From Our Family To Yours Christmas ad trilogy in support of Make-A-Wish. Titled The Gift, the House of Mouse's 2022 Christmas ad follows the arrival of a new baby into the family viewers were introduced to in 2020 in Disney’s first Christmas advert. The third instalment follows the family’s youngest child Ella, who’s left disappointed in The Gift when her pregnant mother can’t go ice skating due to labour pains. When her new sibling arrives, Ella bestows her with a glow-in-the-dark Mickey Mouse soft toy that was gifted to her by her older brother at the start of the short. As the short unfolds, the song 'A Little More', performed by Jessica Darrow – voice of Luisa Madrigal in Disney’s Oscar-winning 2021 film Encanto – plays in the background. Sarah Fox, VP Marketing & Comms, Disney Consumer Products, EMEA, said: “For the last three years millions have watched our characters in our ‘From Our Family To Yours’ animated series, as they spend time together building connections and making memories. “We set out to create a family unit that would resonate with audiences world-wide. We are truly grateful for the support we have received for this festive campaign and hope that families and fans enjoy this fitting, heart-warming final instalment of the trilogy.” Watch the Disney Christmas advert Marks & Spencer: Fairy is back and joined by her new sidekick Duckie! Marks & Spencer teased its new advert on Instagram on 1st November 2022, asking fans to guess who might be joining the returning Fairy Godmother played by Dawn French. Today the answer was revealed: it’s Duckie, a much-loved dog toy, voiced by none other than Jennifer Saunders. The advert kicks off with Fairy Godmother endeavouring to find a friend amidst the tree decorations. When her efforts are to no avail, she brings Duckie to life. “I had the time of my life lending my voice to the Fairy that brought Percy Pig to life last year. I was so excited that M&S wanted to bring her back for more adventures and discover more of that AMAZING food… and, this time with a trusty new sidekick! To have my right-hand-woman back as that sidekick… well, obviously it was a yes with festive bells on from me," said Dawn French about her Christmas ad return. “When the call came in asking me to be in the M&S Christmas ad, I didn’t have to think about it. And to bring the team back together for it? It was a Christmas MUST. I mean M&S Food just IS Christmas. And, I’m so thrilled to be the voice of the tatty and downtrodden, yet very lovable, Duckie," added Jennifer Saunders. Watch the M&S Christmas advert. Lego ft. Katy Perry Lego has launched their festive campaign, and this time it features a celebrity. The advert features a bunch of children delivering presents on a giant vehicle. During the journey, star Katy Perry, who’s riding atop the vehicle, belts out her hit Firework. “At the Lego Group, children are our role models – they inspire us with their creativity, curiosity and imagination, so who better to turn to for our holiday campaign?” said Julia Goldin, Lego chief product and marketing officer. “Our new campaign is a celebration of the creative power and optimism that children possess. They see endless possibilities for play and show us the difference play can make to the world as they rebuild it for the better. We want to inspire people of all ages to prioritize play over perfection and unleash a childlike joy this holiday season.” TK Maxx: Christmas Nailed TK Maxx has launched its Christmas campaign, titled Nail Christmas for Less. It features Sam, who has perfected her season gifting and received a flurry of high fives from everyone she has presented with gifts. Deborah Dolce, Group Director at TK Maxx said: “With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we know this is a tough year and, for many people, Christmas is such an important time to come together with loved ones. "Sharing presents is an integral part of the festivities – we all love to treat our friends and family. “So, we just wanted to let people know you can still do a brilliant job by shopping at TK Maxx; there’s no need to compromise on brands and quality because our gifts are available for up to 60% less than the recommended retail price. "And as our upbeat advert highlights, when you find the right gift, at the right price, the feeling is undeniably infectious.” Watch the TK Maxx's Christmas advert 2022 Very: Gifts for all your Christmases Online retailer Very was the first major brand to launch its Christmas advert in 2022, releasing a 40-second film soundtracked by Wizzard’s universally-loved Christmas classic 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day'. The advert shows a family enjoying multiple festive occasions, celebrating how Christmas can be so much more than one day. Each scene is full of toys, gifts and outfits all available from Very. Watch the Very Christmas advert Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Best Christmas adverts 2021: from John Lewis to M&S and Aldi
'Tis truly the season (well, according to advertisers, anyway).
It’s that time of the year again: get comfy in front of the TV because the Christmas TV adverts 2021 have arrived, and they’re every bit as brilliant as previous years. From Marks and Spencer’s highly-anticipated Christmas TV advert, which brings an (animated) Percy the Pig voiced by Spider-Man’s Tom Holland to life, to the John Lewis Christmas advert, which brings extra-terrestrial life to our screens, to Boots’ Christmas advert which features none other than Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman, there’s plenty to get excited about. And that’s not all. Amazon has also released an advert promoting kindness, while Asda has been playing its Christmas TV advert choreographed by Dancing on Ice champion, Daniel Whiston, on repeat. It goes without saying that our favourite brands and retailers are pulling out all the stops this year. As our commercial breaks become packed to the brim with Christmas adverts, we’ve rounded up the best and most-talked about clips in one handy place. Without further ado, read on for the very best Christmas adverts in 2021. Make sure to keep this page bookmarked as we’ll be updating it with new releases as we get them. Best Christmas adverts 2021 Amazon: Kindness, the greatest gift Amazon released an advert showing a woman helping her anxious neighbour out following the pandemic. As she feeds the birds in her garden, the woman shares a smile with the neighbour, before handing her a bird feeder of her own. A celebration of small acts of kindness, the advert is soundtracked by Adele’s ‘Hold On’ and is bound to get you in the Christmas spirit. So you better get watching! Watch the Amazon Christmas advert. McDonald’s: Imaginary Iggy 'You’re never too old to have an imagination', is the sweet message behind Maccie D’s Christmas advert this year. Premiering on Friday 12th November during Channel 4’s Gogglebox in a takeover of the full 90 second advertisement break, the ad begins with young Matilda looking shy as she feeds her imaginary friend Iggy some McDonald’s Reindeer Treats (carrot sticks). Soon his comforting presence will brings her out of her room and encourage her to embrace those precious Christmas moments only a child can… However, as Matilda grows older, her love for Christmas fades and soon so does her relationship with Iggy. It’s only when she sees a young boy with his Reindeer Treats that she rushes home to reunite with her imaginary friend. But will she find her? Accompanied by the mesmerising classic Time After Time, which is performed by UK pop star Mabel, the advert is sure to tug at your heart strings and put you in a festive mood. With 10p from every download of Time After Time going to food charity, FareShare, McDonald’s are also spreading the spirit of giving for Christmas this year! On the Christmas campaign, Michelle Graham-Clare, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer said: “Christmas is such as joyous time for children and adults alike – with this year set to be better than ever as families reunite all over the country after a difficult few years. We want to make sure that McDonald’s is on hand to help the British public get Reindeer Ready on the lead up to the big day. We’re very proud once again to be supporting our charity partner, FareShare through our Christmas campaign, helping those in the greatest need.” Watch the McDonald's Christmas advert. Aldi: A Christmas Carrot View oEmbed on the source website Kevin the Carrot is back, so don't worry, those rumours of him being axed were completely false, though he is a ghost now... But, they did bring out the stars for this year's commercial, riffing off Charles Dickens' (or Charles Chickens, in this ad) A Christmas Carol. The puns are extremely good in this one, with Ebanana Scrooge and Marcus Radishford making an appearance. There's not much else we can say about this one, except you just need to watch it, it's brilliant. Sports Direct: Go All Out Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, Mason Mount Jordan Pickford, Emma Raducanu, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Big Narstie all appear in Sports Direct's 2021 campaign which is encouraging viewers to get up and go play some games this Christmas, all while wrapping up warm in the latest sports fits. Sports Direct chief marketing officer Beckie Stanion said: “From your TV screens to your smartphones, Go All Out is a truly integrated campaign that shows up consistently, and natively, across multiple channels.” Watch the Sports Direct Christmas advert. JD Sports: Welcome to JD Street Like Sports Direct above, JD Sports brought out the stars for their offering, too. KSI, Jadon Sancho, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aitch, Maya Jama and Kalvin Phillips all appear in the global campaign which aims to reflect youth culture today. Watch the JD Sports Christmas advert. Barbour: Paddington, Please Look After This Bear Now, here's a tear-jerker. Barbour has collaborated for the first time with Paddington Bear for arguably the cutest Christmas campaign this season. The commercial follows Paddington Bear as he makes his way through his list of people to buy gifts for, and as he gets to Mr Brown, there's only one very sentimental present that will do the trick – a re-waxing of the Barbour jacket Mr Brown wore when he found Paddington Bear. The beloved character sets about re-waxing the coat before gifting it to Mr Brown on Christmas Day along with a message from Paddington Bear in the pocket: "Thank you for looking after me." Paul Wilkinson, Group Marketing Director, Barbour said: “Paddington Bear is a much-loved children’s character who is kind hearted and full of good intentions even if he does get into scrapes along the way! To celebrate our Re-Waxing Centenary, we have centred the story around a thoughtful gift from Paddington as he re-waxes Mr Brown’s beloved Barbour jacket for Christmas. It’s nostalgic, humorous and sentimental and shows just how much our Barbour jackets are loved and become an important part of the family; if re-waxed at least once a year, they can last a long long time.” Watch the Barbour Christmas advert. Debenhams.com: A Christmas Like Never Before We guarantee this one will leave you with a lump in your throat. After a tough Christmas in 2020, Debenhams.com is on hand to remind us of the Christmas we missed last year – one of togetherness. The commercial is narrated by a young girl and her father and reminisces on everything we didn't do last year, and highlights everything Christmas should be this year. The now-online retailer encourages us to make this Christmas one to remember, adding: "This year, being together is top of the list." Patrick Duggan, Head of Creative at Debenhams.com said of the advert: “The concept for this Christmas ad started whilst I was working from home, like many of us, surrounded by my family; my children doing homework, whilst I was on zoom calls. In the end, they all got involved, developing the idea and even writing the poem, which is what Debenhams.com is all about; we’re part of the family. It’s a very simple message really; kids have lost out on hugely important life moments that they can never get back, so make sure this Christmas is one they won’t ever forget.” Watch the Debenhams Christmas advert. Very: Very Best Excuses Online retailer Very has dropped a humorous advert for their festive campaign, allowing people to cut themselves some slack this Christmas. Set to a remix of Holly Jolly Christmas, Very indulges in your guilty pleasures including drinking gin in your Pjs, treating yourself to a better gift than you plan to give and even giving a risky Secret Santa gift to your work colleague. This one's definitely an ear worm, and we'll defy anyone to not hum this one as they open their second box of chocolates before the big day arrives – as Very say, blame Christmas! Carly O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer at The Very Group, commented: “At Very, our purpose is about enabling people to purchase what they need – be it treats or everyday items – that create joy 'this Very moment'. After Christmas was pared back for many last year by last-minute lockdowns, we wanted to get into the spirit early and unashamedly embrace the season as soon as the leaves start to fall. As the ultimate Christmas enthusiasts and champions of now, we have focused on empowering and enabling our customers to say yes to all the excuses that make their Christmas so wonderful.” Watch the Very Christmas advert. Lidl: Big on a Christmas you can ALWAYS Believe In Lidl went futuristic for their 2021 Christmas advert with a funny family-based commercial taking us on a whistle-stop tour through time. The whole ad centres around one family who enjoy all the trimmings for their festive time - no matter what the year. Yes, one day we're going to be carving our turkey with a laser, you heard it here first. Watch the Lidl Christmas advert. Asda: Make Christmas Spectacular We love any opportunity to get our ice skates on, and Asda has the perfect advert for that very thing. The commercial is set to the Bolero and as you'd expect, takes us around every aspect of Christmas, from parties to school plays, all while on ice. And fun fact: this advert was choreographed by none other than Dancing on Ice champion, Daniel Whiston! Watch the Asda Christmas advert. John Lewis: Unexpected Guest View oEmbed on the source website The one we'd all been waiting for. John Lewis brought an out-of-this-world advert to our screens on 4th November, with the tale of Nathan, a young boy who sees a UFO crash near his home. Inquisitive Nathan meets Skye, an alien who's never experienced Christmas before. Nathan takes it upon himself to show her all the wonders of the season, all while becoming best friends. The cute clip also features a soon-to-be-popular-hit from Lola Young, who performs a cover of Together in Electric Dreams. John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked: from Monty to Moz Speaking of the new advert, Claire Pointon, Director of Customer, said: “There is nothing more magical than discovering the joy of Christmas for the first time and enjoying your favourite festive moments with loved ones. After the last 18 months, we wanted our advert to really celebrate this as we look forward to a brighter future. We know our customers are excited for this festive season more than ever, as they reconnect with family and friends. Through the story of Skye and Nathan we celebrate friendship and are reminded of the joy of experiencing Christmas for the first time.” John Lewis – seasonal offers, including some lines at 20% off, plus you can claim a £100 John Lewis gift voucher when you buy selected electricals M&S: Percy Pig Comes to Life View oEmbed on the source website Marks and Spencer actually released not one but two Christmas adverts this year – one to show off their fabulous food and another to show off their clothing and gifting selection. The first features none other than Percy the Pig as he's finally brought to (animated) life when Dawn French's fairy drops her magic wand on some Percy wrapping paper. The nation's favourite pig is voiced by Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland. The second features a woman having *the time of her life* in a winter wonderland, dancing around trees, presents and a whole load of festive fabrics to the tune of Marshmallow World by Darlene Love. Our dream come true. Watch the second M&S Christmas advert. Boots: #BagsOfJoy View oEmbed on the source website Boots brought in an A-lister for their Christmas advert this year, with former Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman introducing us to the ultimate Christmas gift from her nan - a bottomless bag. Filled to the brim with Christmas wonder and excitement, Jenna's character finds everything she needs, and somethings she didn't realise she did, in the handy red and gold tote. Making everyone's Christmas dreams come true, Jenna heads back to see her nan to try and repay her for the ultimate gift by offering her a bottle of her favourite perfume, reminding her it's what "love" feels like. Ahh. Boots – Black Friday offers now live, including better than half price on selected fragrances TK Maxx: Christmas to the Maxx Laurie just wants to make a hit at his local festive concert, and what other way to do so than play the organ in metallic blue winklepicker boots? The young boy dons his "early Christmas present" and gives the performance of his life. Where can we get a pair? Watch the TK Maxx Christmas advert 2021. Disney: The Stepdad Ah, we can always count on Disney to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside - and their Christmas offering for 2021 has certainly done the trick. This year, Mickey and Co. have expanded upon their festive campaign "From Our Family To Yours", in support of Make-A-Wish, for a heartwarming advert with family and love at the heart of it. Following on from last year's advert, "Lola", this year we see a grown-up Nicole (the granddaughter from Lola) with her two children, Max and Ella, as stepdad Mike moves in. Any change in the family home takes time, and Mike must learn from doting mum Nicole on how to be the best stepdad to Max and Ella possible. Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 a year now At the heart of the advert is a very special storybook - a gift from Max's birth father. It's packed to the brim with Disney and Pixar stories which come to life as the family comes together. But as Christmas traditions go awry, can Mike bring together his new family? Gregory Porter performs original track Love Runs Deeper, which provides narration from Mike's perspective. Watch the Disney Christmas advert. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide.
Tom Holland voices Percy Pig in M&S Christmas advert 2021
The Spider-Man actor has become the first voice of Percy Pig in the sweet's 30-year history.
Tom Holland has been revealed as the first-ever voice of Percy Pig for the Marks & Spencer Christmas advert. The Spider-Man star will be teaming up with Dawn French for the series of festive promotions, with French voicing a Christmas tree fairy. This is the first time Percy Pig has been given a voice, with the shorts also marking the iconic gummy sweet's 30th anniversary. The first advert sees an M&S store close for the night, causing Dawn's festive fairy to awaken. However, she drops her wand on a present adorned with Percy Pig wrapping paper, causing the sweet mascot to come to life for the first time. Percy then excitably follows the fairy around the store, using his newfound voice to enquire about the food on offer and even cracking a few jokes. The advert premiered during Good Morning Britain on Thursday 4th November, with a new short set to be released every week in the run-up to Christmas. View oEmbed on the source website Marvel star Holland is no stranger to bringing iconic characters to life, but has spoken of his excitement at providing Percy's first-ever voice. "I’ve loved Percy Pigs for as long as I can remember, and when I was asked to be his voice – his first ever voice – it took me less than a second to say yes," Holland said. "Getting the snort right was a challenge, but I hope I nailed it and you all like what you hear! "I did consider asking for a lifetime supply of Percy Pigs but I figured I’ve got to save room for all of that amazing M&S Christmas food!" French shared her excitement, saying: "Christmas is M&S Food, isn’t it? So, when the call comes in asking you to be in the M&S Christmas ad, it’s pretty much a guaranteed yes – I mean they are so iconic each year." The Vicar of Dibley star added: "Then when M&S said I would be the fairy on top of the Christmas tree that brings Percy Pig to life I almost fell off my chair in excitement. This surely qualifies as the best gig in the world, right?" For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. We also have a guide exclusively for John Lewis Black Friday deals. It's only the start of November but Christmas advert season is well and truly upon us, with the long-awaited annual John Lewis Christmas advert 2021 released on the same day and among the best Christmas adverts 2021. Meanwhile, it will be a busy Christmas for Holland, with superhero threequel Spider-Man: No Way Home scheduled for a December release and set to have a festive theme. Fans are especially excited about the film potentially introducing the multiverse too, which could allow Holland to appear in Morbius and Venom 3 also. If you’re looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide.
Watch Boots' magical and luxurious Christmas advert with Jenna Coleman
Jenna stars as Joy – a woman who hands out gifts from a special Christmas bag she received from her Nan.
Christmas might still be a couple of months away, but festive advert season is very much upon us – and Boots is the latest company to showcase its 2021 offering. The advert, which is directed by The King's Speech and Cats filmmaker Tom Hooper, sees former Doctor Who and Victoria star Jenna Coleman deliver festive treats to friends and family from a special Christmas bag. Boots – Black Friday offers now live, including better than half price on selected fragrances Coleman, whose character is called Joy, first receives the bag from her Nan at the start of the advert along with a message reading: "This is what Christmas feels like." On inspecting the contents of the bag she realises it is full of perfume and beauty products from Boots along with other goodies including woollen hats and scarves, and she sets off to spread joy by handing out the gifts to those she loves. The advert ends with an emotional reunion between Joy and her Nan, as she tells her that she loves her and they embrace. View oEmbed on the source website The advert comes hot on the heels of the release of John Lewis' 2021 Christmas advert and will make its first appearance on TV during The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV on Saturday 6th November. Speaking of starring in the advert, Coleman explained: "I love Christmas and I’ve always loved Christmas films. Working on ‘bags of Joy’ with Tom, and the beautiful imagination he brought, creating this magical little film felt really special." For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. She added: "Celebrating family, togetherness and the simple joy of giving mixed with a healthy dose of festive magic and charm felt so poignant this year. "I hope people enjoy watching it as much as we did making it." If you’re looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide.
John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 released: watch Unexpected Guest
John Lewis has kicked off Christmas with another tear-jerking tale...
John Lewis has released its highly-anticipated Christmas advert for 2021, Unexpected Guest. The moving commercial tells the story of young boy Nathan who witnesses a UFO crash in a nearby forest. There, he meets Skye, an alien who's pretty interested in learning about Christmas. Nathan tells her all about the wonders of Christmas which she gets to enjoy for the very first time, before getting her very first Christmas present – a nice, fluffy jumper. Lola Young provides the soundtrack to this year's emotional tale, which is a cover of Together in Electric Dreams. Read on for all we know about the Unexpected Guest, this year's John Lewis Christmas advert. Watch the John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 The moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived – the John Lewis Christmas advert 2021 has (quite literally) landed. In the two-minute clip, we see Nathan meet space alien Skye and the pair become best friends while she tries to fix her UFO. The little boy takes her to see various Christmas traditions, including tree lights, house decorations and of course, gives her a yummy mince pie before it's time for her to head home. In the spirit of Christmas, Nathan gifts Skye a jumper with a singing Christmas tree on it, so she'll always remember her first Christmas. You can watch the sweet advert here: View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis – seasonal offers, including some lines at 20% off, plus you can claim a £100 John Lewis gift voucher when you buy selected electricals John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 release date Confirmed: the John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 was released at 6:30am on Thursday 4th November. In the past, the John Lewis Christmas advert is usually released on a Thursday or Friday in mid-November, with last year's community-inspired tale released on 13th November. However, Christmas came early for John Lewis fans this year, as several clues appeared in UK cities teasing some sort of reveal on Thursday 4th November – we now know it was a big hint towards the highly-anticipated ad! What looked to be a UFO crash landing appeared in both London's South Bank and Newcastle’s Northumberland Street, with a sign reading: "Christmas is landing 04/11/21 #UnexpectedGuest" Despite some theories that this was actually promotion for fellow department store Fenwick in Newcastle, speculation was rife this was John Lewis taking its Christmas advertisement to the next level. John Lewis didn't officially confirm whether the installations were for its upcoming promotion - but strongly hinted that was the case, after a spokesman for John Lewis told RadioTimes.com on 3rd November: "Speculation about our Christmas adverts is always out of this world." View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis Christmas adverts ranked: from Monty to Moz John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 theme After we saw the UFO installations, we thought it was highly likely that the John Lewis 2021 advert would be alien or at least space-themed. The promotional hashtag #UnexpectedGuest also suggested that the advert would follow an alien visitor who crash-lands on Earth during the Christmas period. And that was spot on. Speaking of the new advert, Claire Pointon, Director of Customer, said: “There is nothing more magical than discovering the joy of Christmas for the first time and enjoying your favourite festive moments with loved ones. After the last 18 months, we wanted our advert to really celebrate this as we look forward to a brighter future. We know our customers are excited for this festive season more than ever, as they reconnect with family and friends. Through the story of Skye and Nathan we celebrate friendship and are reminded of the joy of experiencing Christmas for the first time.” You'll also be able to buy a version of the jumper Nathan gives Skye – the Unexpected Guest merchandise will be online and in stores from 4th November onwards... but act fast, these exclusive items usually sell out. This is not the first time the John Lewis Christmas advert has gone intergalactic - the 2015 instalment memorably followed a little girl attempting to catch the attention of an elderly man living alone on the moon. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our John Lewis Black Friday, Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. John Lewis Christmas Advert 2021 song The John Lewis Christmas advert 2021 song is a cover of Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder's Together in Electric Dreams, performed by Lola Young. Speaking of being a part of Christmas tradition, Young said: “I feel super honoured to be a part of this. Growing up I always watched the John Lewis Christmas adverts, they’re iconic and so it kinda feels surreal getting asked to be in one. It also means a lot as an up-and-coming artist to be a part of something this special. "Together in Electric Dreams is a very beautiful song. I love that era of music and I think Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder are incredible. The lyric and soul within the song is something inspirational, fitting to the story within the ad. I feel so excited to be covering it and working with John Lewis.” A now-traditional slowed-down cover song has featured in the adverts since 2009, and they're now just as anticipated as the ad itself. Several of the songs have become UK number ones, and the 2019 advert even had Elton John both performing and starring in it. However, the 2020 advert broke with tradition and featured a newly-commissioned song rather than an emotional cover, with Celeste both writing and singing A Little Love. Adele was overwhelmingly the favourite to sing the 2021 John Lewis advert song, with Betfair offering odds of 2/1 for the Someone Like You singer. However, several other established artists and up-and-comers were also popular choices at the time. If you’re looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide.
Christmas Adverts 2020: best festive campaigns, from Aldi to Argos
This year's festive advertising campaigns have begun!
We're just weeks away from the big day and brands across the globe are delivering their Christmas adverts. Big-hitters from across the high street have unveiled their creations, with the John Lewis Christmas advert the latest to emerge. There has already been a selection of humorous, tear-jerking and traditional offerings with many more still to come. Read on to see some of the best Christmas adverts from 2020 so far. John Lewis - Give a Little Love View oEmbed on the source website The wait is over... John Lewis has released its Christmas advert and it's an incredible sweet affair which is very different to years gone by. We follow a variety of characters who are all animated slightly differently as they go about performing small acts of kindness to strangers, showing what can happen if we all "Give a Little Love". The song, "A Little Love", is performed by BRIT Award winner and singer-songwriter Celeste. Tesco - No Naughty List Tesco are letting us all off the hook this year, with their Christmas advert. The funny offering shows different members of the community admitting their naughty secrets, hoping that Santa can forgive them in time for the big day. But at Tesco, there's no naughty list in 2020 and even those who stocked up on toilet roll are given a free pass. The cheeky offering, which has Britney Spears' "Oops I Did It Again" as its soundtrack, reminds us all to treat ourselves this year, because after all, it's been a tough one. Coca-Cola Christmas Advert 2020 View oEmbed on the source website Now, we all know the classic Coca-Cola Christmas advert which belts out that "Holidays Are Coming", but this year, the fizzy drink company has enlisted the help from Oscar award-winner Taika Waititi for their 2020 offering. The tear-jerking advert sees a little girl's father desperate to deliver his daughter's letter to Santa Claus. He sets off on his own odyssey through wind, snow, rain and many more adversities just to make sure Father Christmas gets the note - only for her wish to pack a powerful punch. Disney - From Our Family to Yours View oEmbed on the source website Disney never fails to tug at the heartstrings and this brand new Christmas advert is no exception. The short animated film tells the story of Lola, who was given a cuddly Mickey Mouse toy as a child and, in her older years, passes it down to her granddaughter. However, as her granddaughter grows older, the two spend less time together and Lola fears their once close bond is starting to fade - prompting a sweet gesture that reminds her how loved she really is. The advert has been produced in association with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the cuddly toy featured available to purchase from the Disney Store and a portion of the proceeds going towards the charity. Aldi - Peel the Need View oEmbed on the source website Aldi's campaign sees the return of Kevin the Carrot, appearing for his fifth consecutive Christmas, and this time he's taking to the skies – flying a fighter jet a la Top Gun alongside 'Lieutenant Turkey'. But after passing Santa's sleigh in the sky, things go badly wrong for Kevin, with the turkey opening the window and ejecting him from the plane. Keep an eye out for Kevin at Aldi, in previous years he's gone on sale in a plush form. Argos - An Evening with AbracaDaisy View oEmbed on the source website The Argos advert begins with two girls browsing the Argos catalogue, before they decide on the perfect gift – Marvin's Amazing Box of Tricks. They then put on an impressive magic show for their amazed family, complete with disappearing mince pies and much more, soundtracked by Gary Barlow's new song Incredible. If you were inspired by the ad, you can get your hands on Marvin's Amazing Box of Tricks at Argos for just £12. TK Maxx - The Lil' Goat The star of TK Maxx's Christmas ad is an ice-skating goat who's dressed up for winter with a bright pink jumper, a green scarf and a red beret, attracting attention from both nearby sheep and a man and woman looking out their window. There's also what appears to be a coronavirus reference: the aghast woman asks, "did you buy the goat a designer outfit?" to which the man replies, "yeah she's had such a hard year, she blooming well deserves it, if you ask me!" ASDA - That's an ASDA Price Christmas Asda has put the pandemic front and centre of its campaign – focusing on how we can make the most of Christmas despite the fact it might look a little different, as we watch a family have festive fun soundtracked by Stevie Wonder's That's What Christmas Means to Me." A man says: "The parties might be smaller, but we can still have great food and we can still party! We can still make new friends and keep the old traditions. Asda's got it covered!" Amazon - The show must go on Amazon also has a pandemic themed ad, based around a young ballerina (played by Taïs Vinolo) who had been preparing for a show before it was canceled as a result of the pandemic. But after the cancellation, her neighbours pull out all the stops to ensure that she can still give a performance, with Vinolo eventually doing the incredible routine for them in a snowy courtyard while they watch from their windows. You can sign up for Amazon Prime for £7.99 a month with a 30-day free trial. Pepsi Max - Refresh Your Christmas This short ad for Pepsi Max features grime stars Kamakaze and TrueMendous, who urge people to scrap traditional festive tropes - substituting Christmas jumpers for hoodies, sleighs for speakers and Christmas trees for palm trees. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide.
Watch the John Lewis Christmas advert 2020
The new animated short aims to raise money for two charitable causes.
John Lewis has revealed its 2020 Christmas advert, ushering in the start of the festive season for many people. Following on from last year's Excitable Edgar, the latest campaign asks viewers to "Give A Little Love" and showcases examples of everyday kindness in a charming animated form. Starting with two children working together to get a football down from a tree, we also see a snowman help get a couple back on the road after their car breaks down, while a family brings some Christmas cheer to their lonely neighbour. With a clever twist at the end, the advert demonstrates how if everybody were to show such kindness, the world could be a better place to live. Produced in association with food poverty charity FareShare and parental support charity Home-Start, John Lewis plans to raise £5 million for struggling families to get through this difficult time of year. You can contribute to the charitable fundraiser via the John Lewis website, either by text or by purchasing from a line of limited edition gifts, the profits from which will all be donated. Pippa Wicks, executive director of John Lewis & Partners, said: "In a year like no other, the world has changed – so we will be delivering a Christmas campaign like no other. During 2020 we’ve seen some inspiring and heartwarming acts of kindness throughout our country and our communities. "Now we want to build on this spirit to create a legacy that extends well beyond Christmas. Together we can all make a big difference to the families who need our help most.” You can watch the advert in full below: View oEmbed on the source website Who sings the John Lewis Christmas advert 2020? As is usually the case, the John Lewis 2020 Christmas advert is set to an original song that will likely be very popular over the festive period. This year's song is titled A Little Love and is performed by Celeste, a rising star on the British music scene, who recently performed the lead single from the soundtrack of Netflix awards contender The Trial of the Chicago 7. She is also known for her recent hit Stop This Flame, which charted across Europe and has been used extensively on Sky Sports coverage of the Premier League. You can find A Little Love by Celeste on your preferred music platform via this link. Looking for something to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, visit our TV Guide, or find out about upcoming new TV shows 2020.
Watch Sainsbury's Christmas advert 2019 with Nicholas the Sweep
This year's Sainsbury's ad will surely tug at the heartstrings while also delivering a few laughs
Sainsbury's Christmas ad for 2019 has landed. Challenging John Lewis & Partners' Edgar the Dragon to the Christmas advertising crown, Sainsbury's Victorian-era offering follows poor Nicholas the Sweep as he is banished into a blizzard for a crime he didn't commit. View oEmbed on the source website Set in 1869, the year Sainsbury's opened their first store, poor Nicholas the Sweep is framed for stealing an orange by his evil boss. Chased out of town and exiled into a blizzard, Nicholas is soon rescued by a kindly Sainsbury's worker. The two place oranges in the stockings of all the chimneysweeps and deliver coal to the naughty boss, before Nicholas walks off in a very familiar red and white outfit... With echoes of Charles Dickens and a cheeky reference to the origin of the big red man himself, this year's Sainsbury's ad will surely tug at the heartstrings and also deliver a few laughs. Keep an eye out for the 'Zero Emissions' horse and carriage. Nicholas The Sweep follows on from other ads Sainsbury's have released prior to Christmas, including a very memorable school play last year and a James Corden-voiced animation in 2016.
When is the John Lewis 2019 Christmas advert out?
It's become a TV Christmas tradition - but what will be the theme and who will sing the song?
The John Lewis Christmas TV ad campaign is more than just a commercial, it has in the past decade become part of popular festive culture, ushering in Christmas on the telly and the internet as people tick off the shopping days until the 25th of December. Since 2007, when the annual adverts began, the campaign has grown in popularity as a TV event, and is often the subject of much debate both on and offline, while also usually sending the artist who has performed its soundtrack close to the top of the charts. All in, it's quite a big deal, considering it's an advert - yep, the thing that people wind through when they're watching a recording of their favourite show! When will the John Lewis 2019 Christmas advert be on TV? The advert was released on Thursday 14th November. It features a little girl on a magical journey with her friend Excitable Edgar. View oEmbed on the source website John Lewis explain: "Our story this year is all about the magic of friendship and how one thoughtful gesture can make all the difference. Edgar’s excitement around the festive season can often lead to fiery consequences, but Ava sparks an idea for the perfect present to help him light up Christmas in his own special way." John Lewis Black Friday deals On 12th November, a new Twitter account @ExcitableEdgar appeared, which many believe is teasing this year's advert – its header photo uses the same text style as John Lewis and it's followed by the official John Lewis account. The account's bio reads: "Meet Edgar! 14.11.19 Loves all things festive. Christmas trees, Christmas food, Christmas snow, Christmas lights…" Its only tweet is a video which may be teasing the full advert, fearing a dragon-shaped, snow-capped door knocker – with a promise that all will be revealed on Thursday, 14th November. View oEmbed on the source website Who performs the soundtrack? The soundtrack is performed by Bastille. The bookmakers had put Lewis Capaldi as the current favourite, with artists like Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and George Ezra all in the frame. What's the song? The 2019 advert features a cover of REO Speedwagon's Can't Fight This Feeling, originally released by the soft rock band in 1985. IT's written by the band's frontman, Kevin Cronin. Who has recorded the John Lewis advert song in the past? Previous artists have included Elton John performing Your Song (2018), Elbow performing The Beatles' Golden Slumbers (2017), Vaults with One Day I'll Fly Away (2016), Aurora performing Oasis' hit Half the World Away (2015), Tom Odell with The Beatles' Real Love (2014) and Lily Allen with Keane's Somewhere Only We Know (2013). What did the 2018 advert look like? The 2018 ad was called The Boy and the Piano and told a potted history of Elton John's life and career.
Monty the Penguin voted best ever John Lewis Christmas advert
RadioTimes.com readers picked the 2014 advert about a boy and his penguin over some formidable competition
British retailer John Lewis has built quite a reputation with heartfelt Christmas adverts, which for many signify the official start of the festive period. The last decade or so has seen so many iconic ads that when we asked our readers which was their favourite, it was anybody's guess which would come out on top. But after 1,000 votes were cast, we can reveal that victory goes to 2014's Monty The Penguin, about a young boy who wants a friend for his beloved pet. John Lewis 2019 Christmas advert review: Fire breathing dragon Edgar extinguishes festive favourite reign View oEmbed on the source website (I'm not crying, there's just dust in my eye.) Monty had a decisive victory, cleaning up 25 per cent of the vote, with second place going to 2013's The Bear and the Hare (20 per cent), and a three-way tie for third place between 2007's Shadows, 2015's Man on the Moon and 2016's Buster the Boxer with 10 per cent each. Joint last place went to 2008's From Me To You and 2010's A Tribute To Givers, with a measly one per cent of the vote each. This week, John Lewis revealed its 2019 Christmas advert which follows an excitable dragon called Edgar who accidentally ruins festivities for a small village thanks to his fiery breath. View oEmbed on the source website The advert was watched over seven million times on YouTube in its first 48 hours, but critics weren't too impressed.
John Lewis Christmas advert review: Fire breathing dragon Edgar finally extinguishes festive favourite reign
The fire-breathing creature hasn't helped the retailer with its Christmas advert slump
Forget Mariah Carey screaming out All I Want For Christmas on 1st November, or Heart Radio launching its Christmas-only station, we all know the official start of Christmas is when John Lewis drops its festive advert. But this year’s offering – the retailer’s first with sister company Waitrose – felt like the time I unwrapped a Nokia, when what I really wanted was a Blackberry. That disappointment at knowing you’d spent months planning your big entrance on BBM only to find out on 25th December that your parents didn’t share the same enthusiasm. Your guide to John Lewis Black Friday deals Excitable Edgar, the haphazard baby dragon, is the star of this year’s festive offering. Shop Excitable Edgar the dragon from the John Lewis Christmas advert 2019 The fire-breathing creature struggles to control his skills, accidentally melting snowmen and ice rinks and setting fire to the village Christmas tree during uncontrollable bouts of excitement. View oEmbed on the source website Of course, he’s cute – stifling bursts of flames like a child who sneezes in assembly, and who wouldn’t be moved at his huge guilty eyes as his friend Ava (played by 10-year-old Ruby Dailly), overcome with sadness, helplessly looks on? Eventually, as with all happily ever afters, Edgar channels his fire-breathing skills into lighting a Waitrose Christmas pudding for the village feast, and manages to avoid charring the residents in the process. But despite the feel-good finale, it’s no Monty the Penguin, The Man on the Moon or The Bear and the Hare. We’ve come to know we need a box of tissues for a John Lewis ad, but a tearjerker Edgar is not. Even Bastille frontman Dan Smith’s cover of REO Speedwagon’s Can’t Fight This Feeling isn’t enough to save it from the festive advert slump John Lewis has fallen into. Yes, there's friendship and inclusion and festive goodwill, but Edgar isn't "aww inducing" or charming, or cute like furry animals in past ads. He's a dragon. Let’s face it, the retailer peaked with Monty, and it’s struggled to recreate that buzz with Moz the Monster and the bizarre ode to Sir Elton John (The Boy and the Piano) last year. Edgar might be setting fire to his Christmas village, but he's finally extinguished John Lewis' reign as champions of the Christmas ad.
Watch John Lewis 2019 Christmas advert with Excitable Edgar
Meet your stars, 10-year-old Ruby and her excitable dragon Edgar
The holidays are well and truly coming after John Lewis released its hotly anticipated Christmas advert for 2019. This year’s festive offering sees the department store partner up with Waitrose for the first time as they present Excitable Edgar, the lovable baby dragon, and his young friend Ava (played by 10-year-old Glaswegian Ruby Dailly). View oEmbed on the source website Set in a sleepy village at Christmas time, Edgar finds himself struggling in the snowy weather as he accidentally keeps setting fire to the festivities, ruining ice skating, killing snowmen and destroying decorations. Upset at his unruly fire-breathing, Edgar locks himself away and refuses to come out despite Ava’s attempts to cheer him up. But it’s a happy ending for the pair, with Edgar redeeming himself in the eyes of the villagers after he uses his powers for good - setting fire to the Christmas pudding at a festive feast. Bastille frontman Dan Smith soundtracks the advert, covering REO Speedwagon’s song Can’t Fight This Feeling. John Lewis Black Friday 2019 deals John Lewis has a history of emotional Christmas adverts aimed to tug at heartstrings, including 2013’s The Bear and the Hare which featured Lily Allen covering Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know, and 2014’s Monty the Penguin, following a young penguin as he found love.